Congestion Pricing Has Mayoral Support in San Francisco

Additional disincentives for driving (i.e., congestion pricing and new parking fees) are on the mayor's agenda in San Francisco.

2 minute read

February 19, 2020, 11:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


SF Muni

moppet65535 / Flickr

"Car-free Market Street was the first step, but traffic in downtown San Francisco is often still a nightmare at rush hour," writes Madeline Wells.

Mayor Breed is arguing for congestion pricing as an additional measure to reduce automobile trips around the city. Mayor Breed called for congestion pricing in a letter to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s Board of Directors.

According to Wells, Mayor Breed is specifically calling for tolls on busy roads at peak times as well as charges for street parking on Sundays and evenings. Mayor Breed targeted SoMa (South of Market) and Downtown for the reforms.

"Already, the San Francisco County Transportation Authority is considering charging a fee to drive in these areas during rush hour, with an expectation to release proposals on the topic early next year. However, the introduction of these measures would require San Francisco to pass legislation that allows the city to charge fees for the use of public roads," according to Wells.

Rachel Swan originally reported the news about Mayor Breed's advocacy for congestion pricing in a paywalled article for the San Francisco Chronicle.

San Francisco is already among the nationwide leaders in wielding planning tools to reverse the dominance of automobiles in urban areas. New York City blocked car traffic on 14th Street in Manhattan, like San Francisco did on Market Street, and is moving forward with a congestion pricing scheme with support from the city and the state.

Tuesday, February 18, 2020 in SFGate

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.