SF Affirms Transit-First Policy, Angering Drivers

By targeting its parking policies "to encourage travel by public transit and sustainable modes of transportation," as outlined in a new San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency document mapping out the city's parking management strategy, planners and officials are upholding the city's transit-first policy that has been in place for nearly four decades and reaffirmed by voters in 1999, 2007 and 2010. But this hasn't stopped the city's automobile users from speaking out. According to Gordon, "Some drivers in the city feel unfairly targeted and protective of the dwindling perks they have left."

"'People are really ready to fight back. The city is just going too far,' said Mari Eliza, who lives and works in the northeast Mission and is an organizer with the advocacy group ENUF, Eastern Neighborhoods United Front, that helped persuade the city to slow down the planned implementation of new meters in their area."

"She said taking transit, biking and walking is not for everyone. She, for one, doesn't feel safe taking Muni or BART at night," notes Gordon.

"Jay Primus, who runs the city's SFpark program, agrees that alternatives to driving are not an option for all. 'Transit first is not anticar,' he said."

"He noted that the city is working to find a better balance so drivers, cyclists and pedestrians can benefit. But he also argues that the parking program that manages availability by demand-based pricing helps reduce the amount of time drivers circle a block looking for a space, reducing congestion, greenhouse-gas emissions and frustration behind the wheel."

The parking management strategy is scheduled to be considered by the Transportation Agency's governing board on Sept. 18.