SAN FRANCISCO, March 29 (UPI) -- San Francisco is considering a hike in the cost of parking tickets and transit passes while tripling boot removal fees, city officials said.
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency administrators have said their plan will help fill a predicted $15 million budget gap next year and a predicted $66 million budget gap in 2009-2010.
Officials also are considering bumping up parking meter fees in July 2009 by 50 cents, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Saturday. Hourly meter fees currently are set anywhere from $1.50 to $3.
The agency argues the increases are necessary to keep operations running smoothly.
"This budget that they're looking at is, we feel, reflective of the funding that is necessary to get the MTA heading in the right direction and providing the transportation that this city needs," agency head Nathaniel Ford said.
The agency will have a public hearing for budget suggestions Tuesday and take a final vote April 15.
