Just learned this from long time Prius owner (neighbor). If you take your paperwork into city hall (801 N First) you can get a permit to park in any of the city owned garages or at meters! Any other cities doing this? Especially interested in the NoCal area.
I've been told this is true in San Francisco as well, but I'm not sure about whether it's hybrids in general, or currently just the approved AB71 green vehicles (with DMV sticker).
Checked with parking in the City (SF), there's free charging stations for electrics but they still have to pay for parking. Truly, is SJ the only place being so supportive of hybrids? lisa
FYI many parking attendants in San Jose know nothing about the program. This comes from experience...
Somehow, I don't see good ol' Tehksas ever doing this. I'm glad other parts of the country are recognizing conscientious drivers.
Thanks for the corrections losaltosprius. You're absolutely right Steven's Creek Toyota is in SJ - for some reason I thought it was in Santa Clara. Regarding whether it applies to Santa Clara County in general or not - I was just restating what my Toyota rep had told me.
steven's creek toyota seems to operate on a different plane than the rest of the world. as stated by losaltos you need to go to 4 N 2nd where the dept of transportation has all permitting efforts. re: expiration, those of us who do live in sj have already begun the effort to have this reinstated before expiration. if you own a hybrid or electric and live in sj call or write your council member to encourage them to continue thinking green!
In today's New York Times, columnist Tom Friedman proposes free parking for hybrids (and other vehicles getting more than 35 miles per gallon) in any public parking facility in the U.S., along with a 50 cent per gallon tax on gasoline, all just part of one of his periodic "my multiple Pulitzer Prizes qualify me to issue policy edicts" columns.
Just got my San Jose permit. It comes on a little mirror hanger thingy. Most of the garages where this is usable are around the courthouse and the one up by San Pedro Square, but you can park at any meter for the maximum meter time without paying.
i used to live in San Jose but i am not familiar with the parking scheme you mentioned. i will say that San Jose did have some very expensive places to park. did any of those get on the exempt list? I occasionally have business in Seattle and some of their parking rates are atrocious. Around Pioneer Square and downtown we are talking up to $7 an hour! Now if only Wa St would jump on the bandwagon and give us at least discounted parking that would be awesome!~!
Free public parking - anywhere SJ you can park in any of the city owned parking lots/garages and any of the metered parking. i just sent off my application, having picked up my car last night at capitol toyota! lisa now a proud new Prius owner Super White, pkg 9, 4 month wait
