Parking no longer free on Saturdays in MoCo lots starting 7/8/23

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wha?! Sure let’s kneecap our local businesses even more than covid!

This is what’s going to happen. Already struggling businesses won’t get the weekend bump in business because people don’t want to pay for parking. I won’t go to Rockville Towne center because I have to pay so I’ll go to a different shopping center with the same stores. There are thousands of people like me.

I love our county and our resources, but I also feel that funds are mismanaged, and then they come back again and again with new fees and new taxes to make up for their mismanagement.

I can see it now, soon will be paying for parking at the county libraries, health centers, and even county parks.

People who want to get to county libraries, health centers, and even county parks by bus have to pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only progressive nature in MoCo is to get progressively worse.

You want to be able to store your private car for free on public property? That sounds like socialism.

dp.. free? We already pay a lot in taxes.

So you support free buses and Metro?

for certain groups, I do, actually.

We already pay taxes on cars, gas. I'm ok paying a small amount for county parking, but I do think that MoCo likes to tax everything and anything, and also spend on dumb things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wha?! Sure let’s kneecap our local businesses even more than covid!

This is what’s going to happen. Already struggling businesses won’t get the weekend bump in business because people don’t want to pay for parking. I won’t go to Rockville Towne center because I have to pay so I’ll go to a different shopping center with the same stores. There are thousands of people like me.

I love our county and our resources, but I also feel that funds are mismanaged, and then they come back again and again with new fees and new taxes to make up for their mismanagement.

I can see it now, soon will be paying for parking at the county libraries, health centers, and even county parks.

RTC has two hours free parking at all times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wha?! Sure let’s kneecap our local businesses even more than covid!

This is what’s going to happen. Already struggling businesses won’t get the weekend bump in business because people don’t want to pay for parking. I won’t go to Rockville Towne center because I have to pay so I’ll go to a different shopping center with the same stores. There are thousands of people like me.

I love our county and our resources, but I also feel that funds are mismanaged, and then they come back again and again with new fees and new taxes to make up for their mismanagement.

I can see it now, soon will be paying for parking at the county libraries, health centers, and even county parks.

RTC has two hours free parking at all times.

dp.. I just read the article.

Currently, this only applies to certain lots in Bethesda, Wheaton and Silver Spring.

RTC is in the city of Rockville, so it would be Rockville lots (I assume).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wha?! Sure let’s kneecap our local businesses even more than covid!

This is what’s going to happen. Already struggling businesses won’t get the weekend bump in business because people don’t want to pay for parking. I won’t go to Rockville Towne center because I have to pay so I’ll go to a different shopping center with the same stores. There are thousands of people like me.

I love our county and our resources, but I also feel that funds are mismanaged, and then they come back again and again with new fees and new taxes to make up for their mismanagement.

I can see it now, soon will be paying for parking at the county libraries, health centers, and even county parks.

RTC has two hours free parking at all times.

IMO, that PP is just trolling. RTC has hardly any stores, and the ones that are there are small independent shops, so other shopping centers don't have the "same stores".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wha?! Sure let’s kneecap our local businesses even more than covid!

This is what’s going to happen. Already struggling businesses won’t get the weekend bump in business because people don’t want to pay for parking. I won’t go to Rockville Towne center because I have to pay so I’ll go to a different shopping center with the same stores. There are thousands of people like me.

I love our county and our resources, but I also feel that funds are mismanaged, and then they come back again and again with new fees and new taxes to make up for their mismanagement.

I can see it now, soon will be paying for parking at the county libraries, health centers, and even county parks.

RTC has two hours free parking at all times.

They do, but it’s a deterrent. I remember an article in the Gazette or Bethesda beat about how small businesses were struggling because of the parking charge. It’s two hours, but it’s not enough time to sit and enjoy a restaurant, walk around and shop and maybe get an ice cream later. Time runs out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only progressive nature in MoCo is to get progressively worse.

You want to be able to store your private car for free on public property? That sounds like socialism.

dp.. free? We already pay a lot in taxes.

So you support free buses and Metro?

for certain groups, I do, actually.

We already pay taxes on cars, gas. I'm ok paying a small amount for county parking, but I do think that MoCo likes to tax everything and anything, and also spend on dumb things.

Ok, then free parking for certain groups too.

Your car and gas taxes do not come near covering the costs of roads and parking. Most of that comes out of general revenue, which comes from everyone who pays taxes, which is everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wha?! Sure let’s kneecap our local businesses even more than covid!

This is what’s going to happen. Already struggling businesses won’t get the weekend bump in business because people don’t want to pay for parking. I won’t go to Rockville Towne center because I have to pay so I’ll go to a different shopping center with the same stores. There are thousands of people like me.

I love our county and our resources, but I also feel that funds are mismanaged, and then they come back again and again with new fees and new taxes to make up for their mismanagement.

I can see it now, soon will be paying for parking at the county libraries, health centers, and even county parks.

RTC has two hours free parking at all times.

They do, but it’s a deterrent. I remember an article in the Gazette or Bethesda beat about how small businesses were struggling because of the parking charge. It’s two hours, but it’s not enough time to sit and enjoy a restaurant, walk around and shop and maybe get an ice cream later. Time runs out.

You can park for free in the Metro lot on weekends, and walk over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wha?! Sure let’s kneecap our local businesses even more than covid!

This is what’s going to happen. Already struggling businesses won’t get the weekend bump in business because people don’t want to pay for parking. I won’t go to Rockville Towne center because I have to pay so I’ll go to a different shopping center with the same stores. There are thousands of people like me.

I love our county and our resources, but I also feel that funds are mismanaged, and then they come back again and again with new fees and new taxes to make up for their mismanagement.

I can see it now, soon will be paying for parking at the county libraries, health centers, and even county parks.

RTC has two hours free parking at all times.

They do, but it’s a deterrent. I remember an article in the Gazette or Bethesda beat about how small businesses were struggling because of the parking charge. It’s two hours, but it’s not enough time to sit and enjoy a restaurant, walk around and shop and maybe get an ice cream later. Time runs out.

If you read it the Gazette, that was a long time ago.

[Anonymous]

The only reason MoCo council exists is to increase crime, make schools worse, kill jobs, raise taxes, and figure out a million additional ways to spend and waste other peoples' money while giving themselves cushy salaries.

Schools in Moco have gotten worse and worse while they constantly keep trying to nickel and dime you to death more and while simultaneously increasing taxes. It is the Baltimorifaction of MoCo. What are we getting in return? Worsening crime, crappy schools, terrible roads, and zero economic growth. so.much.progress tho, amiritie?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wha?! Sure let’s kneecap our local businesses even more than covid!

This is what’s going to happen. Already struggling businesses won’t get the weekend bump in business because people don’t want to pay for parking. I won’t go to Rockville Towne center because I have to pay so I’ll go to a different shopping center with the same stores. There are thousands of people like me.

I love our county and our resources, but I also feel that funds are mismanaged, and then they come back again and again with new fees and new taxes to make up for their mismanagement.

I can see it now, soon will be paying for parking at the county libraries, health centers, and even county parks.

RTC has two hours free parking at all times.

They do, but it’s a deterrent. I remember an article in the Gazette or Bethesda beat about how small businesses were struggling because of the parking charge. It’s two hours, but it’s not enough time to sit and enjoy a restaurant, walk around and shop and maybe get an ice cream later. Time runs out.

If you read it the Gazette, that was a long time ago.

The Gazette is just so ingrained in my vocabulary, I grew up reading it. I promise I’m not a troll. I did a quick Google search and found a couple of articles. From the MoCo show and it references parking problems. I also realize that Rockville town center is not county but it’s the issue of charging for parking. Charge or don’t charge. I appreciate the heads up. https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/2016/06/bu...ping-customers-away/

https://mocoshow.com/blog/rockville-town-squa...-without-validation/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only progressive nature in MoCo is to get progressively worse.

You want to be able to store your private car for free on public property? That sounds like socialism.

dp.. free? We already pay a lot in taxes.

So you support free buses and Metro?

for certain groups, I do, actually.

We already pay taxes on cars, gas. I'm ok paying a small amount for county parking, but I do think that MoCo likes to tax everything and anything, and also spend on dumb things.

Ok, then free parking for certain groups too.

Your car and gas taxes do not come near covering the costs of roads and parking. Most of that comes out of general revenue, which comes from everyone who pays taxes, which is everyone.

we also pay property tax. Homeowners and car owners pay more taxes than those who don't own homes or cars. And that's fine, but it's not like people who drive cars are getting more "free" services than those who don't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That’s a big change to go from free all day to charging the same as any other day of the week. There’s no option in between, like reduced rates or a flat fee or only during peak hours?

+1. They could have raised revenue by charging but doing a flat fee like $1.50 or $2 for the day, offering the first hour free, etc.

There are a lot of places where free parking on Saturdays is a primary driver for people choosing to go to denser downtown areas rather than just drive to a bunch of strip malls. Downtown Silver Spring is a big one -- lots of people will concentrate their Saturday activity there because there are plenty of garages and they are free on Saturday and it's great for the businesses there (may actually be keeping the movie theater afloat, especially good for restaurants) and contributes to a more lively feel in the downtown area.

The argument that people should have to pay to drive only holds water if you use the revenues to pay for more public transportation from neighborhoods into commercial areas, but there is no such proposal. Many residents of MoCo have limited public transportation from their homes to downtown areas, and actually lots of people use these lots on weekends in order to access public transportation to the greater region.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only progressive nature in MoCo is to get progressively worse.

You want to be able to store your private car for free on public property? That sounds like socialism.

Free?

Car owners pay gas taxes, registration fees, sales taxes, and more. What a dumb post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only progressive nature in MoCo is to get progressively worse.

You want to be able to store your private car for free on public property? That sounds like socialism.

dp.. free? We already pay a lot in taxes.

So you support free buses and Metro?

for certain groups, I do, actually.

We already pay taxes on cars, gas. I'm ok paying a small amount for county parking, but I do think that MoCo likes to tax everything and anything, and also spend on dumb things.

Ok, then free parking for certain groups too.

Your car and gas taxes do not come near covering the costs of roads and parking. Most of that comes out of general revenue, which comes from everyone who pays taxes, which is everyone.

we also pay property tax. Homeowners and car owners pay more taxes than those who don't own homes or cars. And that's fine, but it's not like people who drive cars are getting more "free" services than those who don't.

Homeowners and car owners also use more services than renters and non-car-owners.

Not to mention the parking fees are really nominal ($2/hour). If you're not going somewhere because you would have to pay $2/hour to park, it's not about the money. I mean, I get it, I also feel emotionally (irrationally) like I shouldn't have to pay for parking, so I generally park at a distance and walk the rest of the way, if possible. Or I go by Metro or bus or bike. The rational reality is that, in lots of places in the county, we're not paying enough for parking. We should be paying a lot more.