Quote:
Originally Posted by sportsdude
What are your opinions of the current reserved/free parking system compared to the previous first come first serve pay parking system? Here are some of mine.
Current System Pro's
Encourages users who would not use the train by guaranteeing them parking everyday. (Reliability)
Also attracts cheapskates/people who truly couldn't afford parking costs with the free parking. (Affordability)
Guaranteed Revenue for Calgary Transit and less enforcement costs by only having to check half the parking lot compared to whole previously.
Current System Con's
Only half who benefit from park n ride bear the costs of the system. (Equality)
Reserved spots sit empty on days that could of been used by others. (Efficiency)
The old system pro's and con's are basically vice versa.
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I think reserved parking should be
market priced. Hourly or reserved, whatever. As for enforcement costs, I think it every morning and the same cars stay there anyway, so only 1-2 morning checks is required (perhaps a job for CT drivers after morning rush?). Whatever the price, we can still only serve as many park&riders as there are spots. Keep it parking free evenings and weekends when there is less demand. Perhaps evening transit users feel safer driving right to the station.
Also, keep surface lots conditionally for sale on the following terms:
(1) design of redevelopment meets TOD specification and minimum densities, which presumably "create" more transit users than existing lot, (2) The price of land sale exceeds parking revenue over X years, (3) the buyer agrees to complete construction before a certain date or pay a fine equivalent to parking revenue of the duration. First come, first serve, always for sale.