SF Parking meter rates to increase citywide after elimination of credit card fee
SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - Parking rates at San Francisco meters are set to go up for the first time since 2009 after the city was forced to eliminate a service charge for those using credit cards to pay.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency board voted Tuesday to eliminate the 27-cent service fee for the use of credit cards at meters.
The city learned after the fee was approved in July of 2015 that it violated a deal with Bank of America, the company handling credit card processing for the city, SFMTA officials said.
The fee was intended to cover the cost of the move to meters and pay stations that accept credit cards, which total more than $6 million annually.
"We were told we couldn't, based on an agreement with the credit card companies, pass the charge onto customers. So we're in a spot where we have to make up a $6 million hole from our budget," said Paul Rose, spokesman for SFMTA.
To cover those costs, the board voted instead to increase parking fees for everyone, including those paying by cash, by 25 cents.
"It's expensive as it is. I can't imagine it going up any more," complained San Francisco resident Nicole Shaw, after feeding a meter on Polk Street.
Parking meter fees have remained level since 2009, except in those areas where demand-based fees have been instituted.
SFMTA director Ed Reiskin said he expected to bring a proposal to the board later this year that would expand demand-based parking fees citywide.
People say as much as they resent it, they will have to get used to paying the meter increase. It goes into effect February 5th.