11–20 of 88 posts
But I have admit that I doubt there is a cheaper way. And city probably has more important problems to solve.
I don't know what to think. Devilishly clever. Instant new market. But so detrimental if it catches on... People who live paycheck-to-paycheck wouldn't be able to afford this. If it becomes very popular, those without disposable income may be unfairly abused by the system. Till now, finding a spot has been random lottery. Pay-for-privilege will leave struggling families out in the cold (perhaps literally). Yet to pun…
This is simply arbitrage, and it's legal when Wall St fatcats do it, it should be legal for everyone. If the city objects, they should charge the market-clearing price for parking. If that leads to a problem where only rich people can park, then California should build as much low-cost housing as it takes so that everyone can afford a house without paying an arm and a leg.
"creates a predatory private market for public parking spaces that San Franciscans will not tolerate" Right, because I've never driven around Nob Hill for an hour trying to find parking, only to have to give up and pay $25 for a garage. The response from the city makes more sense if you've never actually had to do street parking in the city. When I'm at my wit's end, driving around the same streets continuously, I'd…
It's easy to see this as a foolish reaction of "there is a market? But markets are unfair because money, so let's stop it!" by the city of San Fran. In fact, it would take remarkably little to make me believe San Fran was that foolish. However, these apps also create incentives for people to not give up their spots until someone pays. It's an incomplete market, where someone sits on a shared resource until paid to mo…
This analysis is totally on point and I'm shocked someone downvoted you.
The problem with this business is not that it forces people to pay high prices for high value parking spaces, rather it's that it incentivizes people to camp out in high value spaces, and that the revenue accrues to the campers and not to the city. If this app is popular at all, it's probably an indication that the city isn't charging enough for parking.
Then the city should build their own version and get the money that it feels it is entitled to.
I don't know what to think. Devilishly clever. Instant new market. But so detrimental if it catches on... People who live paycheck-to-paycheck wouldn't be able to afford this. If it becomes very popular, those without disposable income may be unfairly abused by the system. Till now, finding a spot has been random lottery. Pay-for-privilege will leave struggling families out in the cold (perhaps literally). Yet to pun…
Reality: This will harm middle class people who live paycheck-to-paycheck, not struggling families.
"creates a predatory private market for public parking spaces that San Franciscans will not tolerate" Right, because I've never driven around Nob Hill for an hour trying to find parking, only to have to give up and pay $25 for a garage. The response from the city makes more sense if you've never actually had to do street parking in the city. When I'm at my wit's end, driving around the same streets continuously, I'd…
What about people who can't pay $7? That's what public services need to think about.
Frankly, if private prices for parking spaces really did start to soar, that would be an Enormous Clue for the city, though I fully trust them to bitch about the market long before they actually listen to it. (And by "listen" to it, I do not mean "mindlessly obey it"... I mean, listen to it. It would be trying to tell you something. Perhaps something you already know, but with fresh volume and urgency. But, of course, far better to just crucify the market, then live in a world of myth and mystery where things Just Happen and The Rich are mysteriously behind every bush and every lamppost keeping down The Good People via entirely mysterious and inscrutable magic mechanisms that can never be studied or understood by Good People lest they become Tainted and Unclean....)