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

[Anonymous]

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.

Free?

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

The next time you go to a Caps or Nats game, you should explain them that you don't need a ticket, you already pay gas taxes, registration fees, sales taxes, and more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

One of the issues with downtown Silver Spring is too many cars on the road, not not enough cars on the road.

[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.

Free?

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

The next time you go to a Caps or Nats game, you should explain them that you don't need a ticket, you already pay gas taxes, registration fees, sales taxes, and more.

Another dumb post. Imagine being so stupid you conflate privately owned land and lots with county/municipality owned lots, lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Using your logic, we should be paying to use public libraries too. Readers and library users consume more county and public resources!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Using your logic, we should be paying to use public libraries too. Readers and library users consume more county and public resources!

I mean, it's certainly possible to have a general discussion about which county services should be free, and which county services should require fees. In such a discussion, "I think parking should be free for me on weekends because I pay gas taxes" would not contribute much, in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Using your logic, we should be paying to use public libraries too. Readers and library users consume more county and public resources!

I don’t think that but the way things are going, I would not be surprised if our current county council would think of a fee.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

One of the issues with downtown Silver Spring is too many cars on the road, not not enough cars on the road.

I mean, that's true, but DTSS has too many cars on the road because NIMBY idealists pinky promised that all of the people moving into the new apartments would not own cars.

Leaving aside, of course, that we all knew that was a lie and that the people who would inhabit "missing middle" and low-income housing are EXACTLY the people who rely on cars to participate in the gig economy that allows the rest of us to avoid driving.

[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.

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).

The RTC lots are privately owned - Colonial Parking. They have nothing to do with the change but the prior poster said he does not go there because he has to pay for parking which is not true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

One of the issues with downtown Silver Spring is too many cars on the road, not not enough cars on the road.

I mean, that's true, but DTSS has too many cars on the road because NIMBY idealists pinky promised that all of the people moving into the new apartments would not own cars.

Leaving aside, of course, that we all knew that was a lie and that the people who would inhabit "missing middle" and low-income housing are EXACTLY the people who rely on cars to participate in the gig economy that allows the rest of us to avoid driving.

No, that's not why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Using your logic, we should be paying to use public libraries too. Readers and library users consume more county and public resources!

I mean, it's certainly possible to have a general discussion about which county services should be free, and which county services should require fees. In such a discussion, "I think parking should be free for me on weekends because I pay gas taxes" would not contribute much, in my opinion.

Because you clearly do not own a small business or restaurant or have any vested interest in the financial health of areas like RTC, which for years has struggled with high vacancy rates due to patrons being turned off by parking issues. Oh what a brilliant plan, let's make it harder for people in the county to patronize businesses, as if MoCo's job killing philosophy isn't enough already.

You're probably some delusional cyclist who thinks people can bike everywhere and some nasty supporter of DIVE MoCo 2050. Just another jobs killing, tax increasing progressive Democrat endemic to either Silver Spring or Takoma Park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Using your logic, we should be paying to use public libraries too. Readers and library users consume more county and public resources!

I mean, it's certainly possible to have a general discussion about which county services should be free, and which county services should require fees. In such a discussion, "I think parking should be free for me on weekends because I pay gas taxes" would not contribute much, in my opinion.

Because you clearly do not own a small business or restaurant or have any vested interest in the financial health of areas like RTC, which for years has struggled with high vacancy rates due to patrons being turned off by parking issues. Oh what a brilliant plan, let's make it harder for people in the county to patronize businesses, as if MoCo's job killing philosophy isn't enough already.

You're probably some delusional cyclist who thinks people can bike everywhere and some nasty supporter of DIVE MoCo 2050. Just another jobs killing, tax increasing progressive Democrat endemic to either Silver Spring or Takoma Park.

Rockville Town Center is in the City of Rockville, and the parking garages in Rockville Town Center are privately owned and operated. Also, the City of Rockville is currently interested in improving access for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders, who do not need to use valuable land in Rockville Town Center for storing cars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The council is so good at figuring out new ways to take our money! This is on top of recently raising property tax rates and the recordation tax, of course.

"On or about July 8, 2023, Saturday payment will be required in garages and lots. Rates and hours requiring payment will be the same as the rest of the week."

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-Parking/FAQ/using-meters.html

If you don't want to pay for parking, then don't park in the garage or lot. Problem solved.

Exactly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The council is so good at figuring out new ways to take our money! This is on top of recently raising property tax rates and the recordation tax, of course.

"On or about July 8, 2023, Saturday payment will be required in garages and lots. Rates and hours requiring payment will be the same as the rest of the week."

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-Parking/FAQ/using-meters.html

If you don't want to pay for parking, then don't park in the garage or lot. Problem solved.

But it's not actually "problem solved" because we know what's going to happen: fewer people will drive to businesses located in places like downtown SS, Wheaton, or Bethesda. Why drive anyway when basically everything can be had at the click of a button via Amazon? So businesses will have lower revenue which means the county will have lower tax revenue. And then the council will decide to just continue raising taxes to make up for that revenue. Repeat for several cycles and you get the "urban doom loop."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

But it's not actually "problem solved" because we know what's going to happen: fewer people will drive to businesses located in places like downtown SS, Wheaton, or Bethesda. Why drive anyway when basically everything can be had at the click of a button via Amazon? So businesses will have lower revenue which means the county will have lower tax revenue. And then the council will decide to just continue raising taxes to make up for that revenue. Repeat for several cycles and you get the "urban doom loop."

If only people could get to places like downtown SS, Wheaton, or Bethesda without driving and parking. No, wait, actually they can! And do! Some of them even live there! Repeat for several cycles and you get thriving urban places for people, not cars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Using your logic, we should be paying to use public libraries too. Readers and library users consume more county and public resources!

I mean, it's certainly possible to have a general discussion about which county services should be free, and which county services should require fees. In such a discussion, "I think parking should be free for me on weekends because I pay gas taxes" would not contribute much, in my opinion.

Because you clearly do not own a small business or restaurant or have any vested interest in the financial health of areas like RTC, which for years has struggled with high vacancy rates due to patrons being turned off by parking issues. Oh what a brilliant plan, let's make it harder for people in the county to patronize businesses, as if MoCo's job killing philosophy isn't enough already.

You're probably some delusional cyclist who thinks people can bike everywhere and some nasty supporter of DIVE MoCo 2050. Just another jobs killing, tax increasing progressive Democrat endemic to either Silver Spring or Takoma Park.

Rockville Town Center is in the City of Rockville, and the parking garages in Rockville Town Center are privately owned and operated. Also, the City of Rockville is currently interested in improving access for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders, who do not need to use valuable land in Rockville Town Center for storing cars.

Right ..the bike lanes will make driving there very difficult so parking will not be the hard part.