Question:
Dear Government George, what do you know about parking meters?
Answer:
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation operates approximately 40,000 metered parking spaces for public use. Parking meters encourage turnover, allowing more people access to high-demand parking spaces. Throughout the City, LADOT operates approximately 37,000 on-street metered spaces in 71 Parking Meter Zones and an additional 3,000 spaces in 60 off-street lots and garages. Parking meters are generally located in retail areas, where they encourage the turnover of vehicles in high-demand parking spaces, thus creating more available parking for customers. Parking meters also help fight traffic congestion and pollution when their rates match parking demands. When parking rates are underpriced, spaces are almost always full, and drivers spend a long time hunting for a nearby space, adding to travel times, congestion and pollution. LADOT is currently evaluating meter rates and hours of operation City-wide to ensure that parking meters are effective and best serve their communities. The Department strives to maintain all parking meters in excellent working order, but faces the growing challenges of vandalism and aging meters. Please report a malfunctioning parking meter immediately when you observe one by calling the Meter Hotline at (877) 215-3958. Inoperable meters can also be reported online. If you believe you received a parking citation at a malfunctioning parking meter and would like to contest the citation, please call the Parking Violations Bureau at (866) 561-9742