Downtown San Jose Parking Meters Could Double In Price
SAN JOSE (KCBS)— The price of parking at metered spaces could soon be doubling in downtown San Jose with the proceeds going towards payment of new high-tech smart meters.
The meters may go from $1 to $2 if the city council approves the increase next week, but the proposal is not going over well with many downtown residents like Clay Gouldman.
"That's why I sold my car to begin with. It was too expensive to maintain," Gouldman said.
The Smart meters would accept payment from credit cards and even smartphones. That would in theory make it easier for people to pay at the meter by expanding their options, but there's concern from businesses that the price hike would drive visitors away.
There are a limited number of non-metered spaces, which is where San Jose State student Pedro Garcia likes to leave his ride.
"I'm not going to say the street names, but there are a select few number of streets here on campus that is free parking, so it's hard to find it. It's a manhunt," he said.
The new meters will also provide parking data for smartphone apps that show where spaces are available in real time.