Santa Monica, California is introducing new technology to end the practice of drivers using minutes remaining on parking meters from the prior cars. New meters use internet connections and sensors buried in the asphalt to wipe out remaining time once a car leaves the parking space. It seems a bit unfair. The city was paid to rent the space and I think I should be allowed to hand over my time to another citizen — after all I paid for the rental and could remain in the spot for the full duration.
I have often thought it bizarre that some cities threaten citizens with tickets if they add money to meters for cars of other citizens to prevent ticketing. I have heard such stories and I fail to understand the legal basis for such a citation.
This new technology is based on the premise that the rental space is specifically tied to the vehicle. However, I view it as tied to the space. When I rent a hotel room, I do so for a period of time and can presumably allow another person to use it as long as I do not exceed occupancy rules. Likewise, if I buy a movie ticket, it is for one set for the duration of the movie. I can give the ticket to another person to take my seat. Why should a parking meter be different?
The greatest loss, however, is the demise of one of the few remaining forms of urban manna. In a world where we are being clipped left and right for charges and fees, the parking meters remain one of the most common vehicles of good luck for urban dwellers who delight in finding 5 minutes remaining from the prior user. It is like the lottery for drivers — God shines down upon you with a small gift. Now that will be taken away — leaving us without hope of winning a meter lottery as part of our work day.
What do you think?
Source: NY Times
I thought California was so dang broke? How could they possibly get the money to buy all these expensive brand new meters, when the old ones were just fine? How do you justify spending that money, when the state is going bankrupt?
Not to mention, it was someplace in California where they made the electric company remove their smart meters because of health hazards (smart meters produce microwaves which are really great at producing cancer). So even though they’re dangerous and have been removed from houses, it’s okay to just put them out on the streets?
California explained in less than 10 seconds:
http://youtu.be/9cWnubJ9CEw
That seems pointless. Around here, they just switched to the digital ones – you pay and get a receipt. Then when you leave, somebody else has to pay to get their own receipt. That seems cheaper than putting stuff into the asphalt.
I don’t agree with any of this stuff since, as stated, they were paid for the time… But it seems weird to me that they’re going through this much trouble when there are more effective and cheaper ways to make it work.
Bill H
1, June 14, 2012 at 10:30 am
blah blah blah….In parking lots where you put money in a slot, if you leave early and the slot becomes available there is no “time left” for another person to park.
blah blah blah….
———————————–
the streets ARE NOT parking lots (which are often owned properties and subject to insurances and liabilities etc that the streets are not…) and the city streets are primarily built w/tax $$$ and for the publics use. This is not anything politically sound but a scrambling to make up for shortfalls created by sycophants catering to corporate profits….and now needing to balance the books.
But the biggest last laff may be that as more people retire to cities and the infrastructure is improved by necessity….only the filthy rich will have a need to park anywhere….and shopping is becoming as passe as smoking….
California is criminally mismanaged by the Left, and can’t possibly raise enough revenue to fund its insane Social programs. This is just creative thinking from the Left, trying to grub nickels out of the public, to continue their hopeless Leftard Dream. It’s like trying to cure Cancer by putting a Bandaid over it.
The corporate parking model comes to a town near Hollywood.
It is your move hackers.
@BarkinDog – I see a potentially fatal flaw in your plan…
http://youtu.be/bneviIHiIKs
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bneviIHiIKs&w=420&h=315%5D
This is another reason to avoid the LA Basin at all costs. If you want a nice day at the beach, go to San Diego or Santa Barbara. LA and environs are not worth the risk of getting caught up in the web of corrupt government, brutal cops, and general congestion.
“I have often thought it bizarre that some cities threaten citizens with tickets if they add money to meters for cars of other citizens to prevent ticketing. I have heard such stories and I fail to understand the legal basis for such a citation.”
Usually occurs in areas with a lot of small retail stores — where the customers are in and out in a short period of time. Retailers are dependent on high turn over of nearby parking spaces to maintain a steady flow of customers.
“I have often thought it bizarre that some cities threaten citizens with tickets if they add money to meters for cars of other citizens to prevent ticketing. I have heard such stories and I fail to understand the legal basis for such a citation.”
Agreed. It’s just spiteful, and greedy.
what Frankly and Mike S. said. The City of Chicago is now fighting that bill that Frankly discussed, but it makes you wonder who wrote the contract?
You are correct Mike that this kind of double billing is akin to the cities and states selling off or leasing their assets for upfront money. They are trying too make up for lost tax revenue and less federal money. It is a losing battle.
“Likewise, if I buy a movie ticket, it is for one set for the duration of the movie.” Actually, you probably can’t. In all liklihood there is a clause on the ticket that says “not transferable once movie has begun” which is perfectly legal.
When you rent an apartment, in most cases you may not transfer that apartment to another person, or even allow another person to live there with you unless that person is named as a tenant on the original lease.
In parking lots where you put money in a slot, if you leave early and the slot becomes available there is no “time left” for another person to park.
Mountains out of molehills. The purpose of parking meters is to generate income for the city. A second reason may be to reduce congestion. It makes perfect sense to configure the meters in a manner to maximize their primary purpose.
Lovely Rita may never be free to take some tea with thee.
They sell pipecutters at the hardware stores and plumbing shops in that town. A good capitalist could pull the Bain on them by going around at night under the cover of darkness and cutting the meters off. Take them to a secluded spot, rip ofen the change box and viola! This is not a new idea but since the West Coast is several time zones behind and thinks they are ahead of the rest of us I thought I would pass this tidbit of ingenuity along to Saint Monica Lewinsky citizens. Pipecutters. Around twenty dollars. Hacksaws make too much noise. Been there. Throw a pillow case over the meter and when it is removed it is sight unseen as you throw it in your wheelbarrow or trunk of your car. Paybacks. Then the next guy who arrives will not have to put any money in a meter and the money you have will finance your next pipecutter to pass on to the gang.
This is merely another example of government using subtle means to raise money while they are seemingly not raising taxes. This is the lasting product of the Grover Norquist “War on Taxes” that can really be translated to mean: How do you screw the 99%, while ensuring the 1% gets wealthier? The answer of course is you do it increments by raising tolls and fees, while strangling “progressivity” out of the tax system.
I think . . . Santa Monica has pretty warped priorities.
It’s new technology, so I vote that it’s better, even if I don’t understand how. I don’t need to understand because the market does the figuring for me.
After all, who are we to question progress?
This technology was obviously developed because the market demanded it, even if the market was for local law enforcement.
And this probably helps the city with parking enforcement if they only have to send officers to spots that they know are expired, so with the new technology, the city can get by with fewer employees.
So another way to be a nice guy to a stranger is being wiped out. No reason to wonder why people are becomiing more and more hostile.
This is pure, evil genius. I’m guessing that the name “Bain” will appear when you dig further.
I believe the folks in your home town have found an even better method of screwing everyone with parking meters.
A few years back in a short-sighted attempt to hide the actual cost of maintaining the city Chicago sold their parking meters to a private company. Of course rates went through the roof that was expected. But the new twist came recently when the private company presented a bill to the city for $57MILLION to compensate them for lost revenue when streets were closed or parking banned for events.
gosh, isn’t that double billing?
isn’t that illegal?
too bad the injustice dept is too busy chasing pricks, dicks and clicks to go after the tricks….