BART figures it costs the agency around $2 a day to maintain, illuminate and police each parking spot in its system. The daily rates riders pay run between $1 and $3. Monthly passes work out to $2 and $4 a day, and long-term parking is $5 a day in the East Bay and $6 in San Francisco and the Peninsula.
That price structure may change. Here’s what BART has to say about a plan to introduce market-based parking fees:
To cover the costs of providing parking, as well as to help renovate BART's aging infrastructure, keep the cost of BART fares down, and to improve BART service, BART is considering charging market-based fees for its parking spaces. This means that parking fees at a particular station would be based on the demand for parking at that station. At stations where parking lots are full, the parking fees may be increased up to two times per year. It is expected that daily fees at most stations would be increased in 50 cent increments, while monthly reserved parking would be increased by $10.50 (which works out to about 50 cents per day). If parking lots are no longer full, the fees would be decreased.
BART is also considering market-based fees with a price cap. With a price cap, it is expected that daily parking fees would range from $1 - $3 at most stations, based on demand. Monthly reserved parking would range from $42 - $126 at most stations, based on demand.
What do you think about market-based fees?
Do you think higher parking rates could cause drivers who might've used BART to simply stay in their cars and not use public transportation at all?
Do you think it will make it easier to find parking during the morning commute?
Take BART's parking survey.
@Mimi: Agreed in part, but have to have a consistent policy across the sector. Can't subsidize roads and buses and expect BART to survive in a skewed market.
"Starting Jan. 1, drivers across California will be able to park at broken parking meters without receiving a ticket, thanks to a new state law signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on Monday." - http://pacificpalisades.patch.com/articles/bill-allows-parking-at-broken-meters-e5e77d99
I'm not sure that I would take advantage of a broken meter because this bill was authored by a Democrat - and gasp - our very own Democrat - DeSaulnier. Agreeing with a bill authored Democrat? My family would be horrified.
For parking specifically, if you charge below-market rates that money has to come from somewhere, meaning most likely that the commuters who walk to BART or take the bus will be subsidizing those who drive with their fare dollars. BART parking already uses a market-driven approach by charging different rates for different classes of parking. I support this approach as it allows people who need the spots on a daily basis to pay a premium for reserved spots. With that said, the fact that there is a huge wait list for reserved spots at most stations does indicate they should be charging more. It's not just a question of providing more revenue for a cash-strapped transit agency, although that is a worthy goal. It is ridiculous to have to wait two years to get a parking space at your local BART station. If dynamic pricing or higher prices generally would help alleviate that, it is a good idea. I do think that if they want to charge more for parking that at least some of the dollars should go to increasing parking capacity.
If we want to avoid pricing out the very poor, we should simply increase their cash welfare benefits / EITC. Of course, logically you'd need to reduce general taxes to offset the user fees.
BART was constructed on public money,huge money, but used by unions for blackmailing of taxpayers every one -two years.The result is the most expensive public transit in the world.70% of BART expenses -salaries and benefits of BART workers.You can see these salaries in Sacramento Bee state salaries (without their fantastic benefits).state agent(you can see these persons every day playing ,reading fictions,talking with BART police officers) makes from 80000 to 150000 dollars. i don't tell about train operators ,whose only responsibility is to check doors before the train will start.In initial project of BART were no train operators at all ,like in European systems,but for testing they decided to use train operators temporary. now they make from 150000 dollars,we need cost-effective,affordable BART, BART is a public asset,not the asset of unions.All directors of BART are in union pocket,the sample is outgoing director from San Leandro Franklin who sold his director chair for a lucrative bart position ,FOR which doesn't have education or experience.do you believe higher rates for parking provide new parking slots? do you know that new very expensive cars for BART have much less seats,somebody will receive their kick back ,but you spent 30-40 minutes more on your feet before you start your work day.we should unite against bart unions for affordable,comfortable bart!!!!!!
Your statement that most electricity is generated from coal might be true nationwaide, I haven't done the research. However, according to the PG&E website, their carbon footprint on only half the national average, a large portion of their electricity is from hydroelectric and other renewable sources and the proportion from coal is only 1%: http://www.pge.com/about/environment/pge/cleanenergy/
In a typical power plant, a primary energy source like coal is burned to create heat, which is converted in a boiler to mechanical energy in the form of superheated, high-pressure steam. The steam is directed into a turbine, where it pushes on blades attached to a central shaft or rotor. The rapidly spinning rotor powers a generator.
@Edward: Primary intent of BART was never to be "green," but rather to augment people moving capacity of cars on roads. Solar does not pencil out in the real world. BART buys power at about $0.10/kWh and does not benefit from tax credits/incentives. PV Solar only makes economic sense given the nonsensical PG&E rate tiers and Federal and State subsidies. PV Solar is not ready for prime time in most applications. As an aside, I have a PV Solar system and use it to charge my Chevy Volt.
Why should I be asked to reduce my retirement savings to pay more taxes to fund a better pension than I can afford for myself?
BART has two new directors.
silly comment. maybe u should work for bart if u think it's such a great job.