Charge to drive in downtown S.F. seems more viable
From today's Examiner, "The success in Stockholm of a program to charge drivers fees for heading into the highly congested heart of the city could bode well for a similar proposal in San Francisco, according to officials."
"Since being implemented on Jan. 6, downtown traffic in Sweden’s capital has plunged 25 percent and transit usage has increased by about 40,000 riders per day, dramatically decreasing rush-hour travel times, data released today shows."
"Traveling into the center of Stockholm between 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. during the week costs driver the equivalent of about $1 to $2 depending on the time of day. There is a maximum charge of $7 for those who make multiple trips, said Johan Westman, technical spokesman for IBM in Sweden. The company’s technology is behind the system. Fees are enforced using cameras to photograph license plates and electronic transponders that can electronically transfer funds from drivers’ bank account, Westman said."
I suppose since you won't be able to park your car downtown, it's only logical that the city would also charge those that dare to attempt to drive into the financial district... I guess they feel that not enough people are waiting for the already-crowded buses and MUNI cars...
Personally, I would love to see a public transportation system that would make this viable, but forcing people out of their cars in order to raise the funds to fix the root of the problem seems a little backwards to me.
posted by Matt Lanning @ 8:01 AM
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right but it's a good idea because transit will get much much better:
1. we can funnel money from the drivers into transit
2. transit will also get more revenue from more riders
it's a (opposite of "vicious") cycle!
Whats interesting is that taking a taxi to downtown is generally cheaper than parking there. I dont know why anyone would ever want to drive there anyways. Dealing with traffic is such a pain in the ass. As far as the people from the suburbs.....they chose to move out there for whatever reason, let them pay however much it costs.
this might be a good idea but there are a couple of problems that I see: (1). If you have to pay to drive downtown, will the price of parking go up?
(2). if going downtown is the shortest way to get to where you want to go will there be a different rate for traveling through downtown?
if you have to go through a circuritous route, how will traffic in those areas be affected. What kind of stress will be placed on those neighborhoods? finally, when i need to get around the downtown area i tend to ride public transportation or walk. and beleive me when i say i find no joy in dealing with MUNI except when i absolutely have to.
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