12-16-2016, 11:41 AM
(12-16-2016, 11:30 AM)danbrotherston Wrote: I agree about congestion charges.
As for parking, the problem is, when malls have free parking, there's a huge push towards free parking everywhere. And as we know, parking isn't free, everyone still do pay for it, but we pay for it in the goods we buy, so in fact, everyone who arrives on transit (or as a pedestrian/cyclist) subsidize those who drive. That seems rather backwards.
Are you suggesting forcing private land owners to charge parking fees? I don't think that's possible. I agree with you that it's backwards that non-car-driving patrons subsidize the purchases of driving patrons, but I don't see a solution (besides patronising business who do not do that).
I find it really absurd that parking spaces maintained by the public are provided free of charge. I prefer the principle of user pay. I'd prefer that principle with roads, too, though I understand there are a lot of limitations.