Oh No! SF Parking Meters May Follow Oakland's Lead

San Francisco officials have proposed extending parking meter hours in some parts of the city to midnight and requiring drivers to pay for metered spaces on Sunday.

The plan released Tuesday by the city's transportation agency estimates the changes could bring in an additional $9 million a year. Officials say it could also increase turnover of parking spaces, reducing congestion from drivers circling the block looking for a spot.

Meter hours would be varied from neighborhood to neighborhood depending on the availability of parking and the area's nightlife. Some neighborhoods would see meters enforced until midnight while in others it would be up to 9 p.m.

A spokesman for Mayor Gavin Newsom says people should not have to pay more for parking during the economic downturn.

 A similar plan in Oakland lead to uproar among downtown merchants.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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