Who is Responsible for blanketing neighborhoods with parking meters?

In 1999 San Francisco voters passed Proposition E, which combined the Municipal Railway (Muni) and the Department of Parking and Traffic (DPT) into a new agency called the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA). The SFMTA is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors appointed by the Mayor.  Under Prop. E, SFMTA board members were appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the Board of Supervisors. All members on the body were supposed to be qualified in some manner, and completely autonomous from City Hall politics.

What is Congestion pricing?

Typically Road pricing is any system that directly charges motorists for the use of a road or network of roads. Traditionally it has meant tolls on single routes, particularly crossings such as bridges or tunnels. Singapore was the first city in the world to implement an electronic road toll collection system for purposes of congestion pricing.

Where is all of the recent traffic congestion coming from?

City transportation officials say San Francisco has put more roads on a diet than anywhere else in North America. At an average speed of 8.1 mph, San Francisco Muni is the slowest major urban transit agency in North America. What was the result of the SFMTA's traffic calming and road diets? Last year Muni's on-time performance fell to their lowest numbers in history leaving passengers stranded, or waiting over 40% of the time. 

What is the Congestion Pricing Model for San Francisco?

San Francisco's congestion pricing model charges motorists for curbside parking and the highest payer wins. SFpark favors the wealthiest residents in the city and penalizes retirees, and lower income residents who cannot afford to pay the "artificially inflated" rates.  The “variable pricing” on the new smart parking meters allows the city to price-gouge motorists up to $6.00/hr. or up to $18.00/hr.  for “special events”. Rich people get to park, low income people don't.

Why didnt the SFMTA use Singapores model?

There are currently too many legislative hurdles at the state level. Parking is controlled strictly at the city level so the SFMTA can pretty much do anything they want as long as the SFMTA Board signs off on it.

Will SFpark change parking in my neighborhood?

Yes.  In pilot areas of Mission Bay the SFMTA rescinded (RPP) residential parking permit areas and installed smart meters. The “variable pricing” on the smart parking meters allows the city to charge motorists up to $6.00/hr. or up to $18.00/hr.  for “special events."  Mission Bay Residents are complaining that they can no longer park near their homes, apartments, and businesses without having to pay $2.00 - $3.00 an hour to park at the meters.  Longtime residents are unable to bring groceries or drop off their children without paying a parking meter.  The SFMTA is proposing to install up to 10,000 new parking meters across San Francisco.  The parking meter locations will include residential, and mixed use neighborhoods.

Will SFpark drive people and business away from the City?

Yes, residents and merchants say that the SFpark meters are already driving businesses out of the city and lowering property values. Residents say the meters have made SFpark pilot areas a less desirable place to rent, own real estate, or operate a business. Here are some photos of neighborhoods after the parking meters were installed.

Is SFpark going to start out parking meter rates at .25 an hour?

No, The Coalition of Aging and Disabled Motorists was unable to locate any SFPark Meters in the city that charged $.25 per hour when the program was rolled out. 

Is SFpark a way for the City to raise revenue?

Yes, It would seem that the people who own cars in the neighborhoods are primarily sources of revenue for an improvident city government.

Does the SFMTA have a spending problem?

Yes, Many taxpayers would agree that the SFMTA has a spending problem. In March 2012 the media reports that SFMTA deficit is reported to be $28 million dollars, and projected overtime for this department alone to be $60 million. Learn more about how San Francisco City Hall is CA$HING in on Taxpayers! 



Is SFpark good for the City?

NO! The Coalition of Aging and Disabled Motorists advise residents to file a consumer complaint with the Attorney General Of California. and the Federal Trade Commission.  Ask for a full investigation and an Audit of SFparks accounting practices. Cite Price Fixing, Market Manipulation, and inflating consumer prices (with taxpayer funds).  Also state that SFpark has been charging market rates for curbside parking to compete against private businesses.   

SFpark says that they are guided by the citys policy of "Transit First", But what does this policy mean? 

Within San Francisco, travel by public transit, by bicycle and on foot must be an attractive alternative to travel by private automobile. 

My neighborhood is against these meters. What can be done to Stop the SFMTA

The SFMTA is not carrying out the mandates of Prop E. The dismal state of Muni and the budget, and their apparent war on cars is making the SFMTA highly unpopular with almost everyone. Prop E was set up to do two things. Balance Muni's budget and fix Muni. Since the SFMTA has been given a wide range of other things to do, Muni has neglected these two most important tasks.

Many people have lost faith and trust in the SFMTA’s abilities to do the job it was established to do, namely fix the Muni and balance the Muni budget. There is a growing concensus that only solution is to restructure the MTA to diminish its authority. This link will take you to a Petition to Stop the SFMTA. Please sign it and pass it on to your friends and neighbors. 



Congestion Pricing favors the wealthiest residents of the city and penalizes poorer, working class citizens who have less money and education. Only those who could afford to park at meters will  be able to drive. SFpark will drive the working poor out, and the rich guys with the German cars can whip out their smart phones, with an app that tells them where there are open spaces, and then whip out their credit cards to pay.

Parking is one of the last places where it is first come, first served, and everyone is equal. Whether you drive an $80,000 car, an $800 car, or a scooter, you have an equal chance.  If these increases happen, the haves and the have-mores will get the great public spots, and the waitress with two children will have to walk 7 blocks in the rain because she can’t possibly afford $48-$144 per day for a parking spot. 

The SFMTA is an agency that is not listening to the community. They are trying to force residents on to Muni Busses that are chronically late, overcrowded, filthy, and dangerous.

So, what is the endgame? Is City Hall trying to make public transit faster for its residents, or slower for the special interests who have their own agenda.  When politicians ignore their constituents to pay back political favors to special interest groups then you have to question if these politicians are fit to lead our beloved city.