The following is a reposted letter to the Editor at the U-T by one of our writers, Paul Krueger.
Re: “$10-an-hour-parking comes to Petco Park next month” (Aug. 5): San Diego’s “surge pricing” at downtown parking meters for Padres’ games and special events will benefit city hall financially. But working people will shoulder the costs.
Sports fans and music lovers have a choice: pay $10 an hour for meter parking, use a public lot, or take a bus, trolley, or ride-share. But thousands of low-paid hospitality workers and night shift employees don’t have those options.
They can no longer pay $5 for two hours of late-aftemoon meter parking and keep then-car there after the meter expires. They can’t rely on off-peak public transit, and they can’t afford ride-share.
Same for many downtown renters, whose buildings have little or no off-street parking.
Those who are already struggling will pay the price for city hall’s budget failure. Maybe Councilmember Sean Elo-Ri-vera’s Select Committee on Addressing the Cost of Living can look into this.
— Paul Krueger, Talmadge
