Photo at RideLust.com

Atrios points out that the city’s parking meter rate increases in Center City and University City are going perfectly according to plan:

Parking is getting easier in Center City, apparently because of higher parking meter rates enacted in January, according to the most recent “meter occupancy rate” survey by the Philadelphia Parking Authority.

A year ago, 97 percent of Center City meters were occupied during business hours. Now, 77 percent are, said PPA spokeswoman Linda Miller.

Of course, a down  economy could be skewing  the numbers a little as fewer people venture in to Center City to shop or dine, but those who are making those short term terms are probably finding it easier to find a space.  I spend plenty of time in and around Center City and it doesn’t seem like the total number of people is any smaller, just the total number of cars.

What this shows is that we are approaching the point where a valuable commodity - the ability to park on the street close to one’s destination - is being priced appropriately and not given away essentially for free.  When the prices finally make it  up to $3 per hour this summer, we should have it just about right.

Now, if only the PPA and private operators would lower the cost of short term garage parking to about $2 per hour for the first two or three hours, we’d actually have a logical, coherent parking policy.

As Atrios says, ideally any increase in revenues from this higher meter rates could be going to enhancing the transit options for folks who now want to leave their cars behind.  To that, I would add increasing funding to improve the pedestrian and cyclist experience in Center City and other commercial corridors.