Giants Fans Face Sticker Shock Over Meter Pricing Near Stadium
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – Many fans who drove to the San Francisco Giants home opener at AT&T Park on Friday were caught off guard when they found out exactly how much it was going to cost to park at a meter near the stadium.
It's all part of a new special event pricing plan. So far, it's just Port of San Francisco meters that are part of the pilot project and not meters under the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency umbrella. Meter rates are boosted about an hour before game time until about an hour after the game ends.
Muni spokesman Paul Rose said the agency is hoping to roll out a similar program in the future and that this will not just be a revenue generator.
"Effective parking management allows for more turnover throughout the city and that helps merchants," Rose said.
Nate Pollak, co-owner of The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen near the ballpark, agrees.
"It's good to have turnover with the parking meters. It encourages more open spaces," he said.
But Nick with Rack Solid on 3rd Street said higher parking meter rates will hurt his business.
"I'm the one that's gonna hear about it. There's no parking, it's $5 an hour. But that's the City," he said.
The attitude among Giants fans was mixed as some couldn't understand the $5 an hour parking rate but others said they know that's what you might encounter when you drive to the game.
Rose said that Muni is still looking for public input on the pilot project and is not sure when they'll introduce special event parking.
(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
