I did a search several times and did not find this so, if I'm wrong, please forgive me. Bad news, LA Prius drivers. The LA City Council voted to end the free parking at parking meters for hybrids in the city of Los Angeles, effective March 1, 2009. We're in a serious budget crunch so they're doing everything they can to squeeze money out of us. Grrrrrr. Free Metered Parking for Alternative Fuel Vehicles Ends 1 March 09 On February 10th, the LA City Council voted to end a free metered parking program for alternative fuel vehicles begun in 2002. The City has allowed vehicles that displayed a California Clean Air Vehicle Decal from the California DMV, as well as four hybrid vehicles: Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid, Toyota Prius and Ford Escape Hybrid, to park free at City operated on and off-street parking meters. Effective March 1, alternative fuel vehicles parked at an expired meter will be cited for Failure to Pay for a Parking Meter Space. The fine for this parking violation is $48. Beginning immediately Traffic Officers will provide ‘warning notices’ to these vehicles parked at City meters to remind vehicle operators of this change. LADOT Free Prius Parking Perk To End in LA - All About Prius Gotta start keeping coins in the car now.
So, rather than raise the rates a dime on the general public... they'd choose to stick it to the ones they're supposed to be helping the most ... the green(er) transportation industry. Makes sense ... after all ... that's got to rake in at least an extra $2000 or $3000 a year.
Just because I like having people mad at me... I've always wondered how today's gasoline hybrids can be called "alternative fuel" vehicles anyway. The only fuel they use is gasoline, and I don't see that as an alternative to... gasoline. Anyway, this isn't all bad news. EVs still have plenty of free parking and charging in the area. Just the gas cars are being lumped together... with the gas cars. Nomex suit on!
I have been parking in the metered spaces all of February and never received a "warning" notice. My first notice of this was a $48 parking ticket this morning! BTW, LA Times had a big article on parking meters today and NO mention of the change. Typical MO for the City.
After this I'm not parking in a meter and giving another dime to the city. Thanks Santa monica for still respecting a good gesture that was put into place. Please email the city council!!
Hoe ~ yea, THAT big fat chuck of change . . . that'll really balance their budget. God forbid the city should simply tack on a couple pennys of gas tax. Hoe no way. (shaking head)
From my view all the way over on the east coast, the CA state govt has always looked to push greener/alternative technologies and try to support an infrastructure that would allow those products/services to flourish. That said, with this budget shortfall, it's not surprising that the free parking has been rescinded. It would not surprise me though once things start to straighten out (IF that happens), that the free parking for hybrids would go back into effect. Giving tickets without warning is crap though...there should be warnings for the six months or a year after the change. That way if someone parks without paying long after that period, they get a ticket.
I hope they bring back the carpool stickers program and free metered parking when (if) the economy picks up
As a soon-to-be hybrid owner, I hope neither of these programs ever arrives in Washington state. Hybrids are gaining market share quite well here without these incentives. The programs would merely defeat the purpose of HOV lanes and parking meters.
