Most cities (are supposed to) operate parking for reasons of public policy. "To ensure the safe and expeditious movement of traffic", "For the amenity of the area" and so on, I am pretty sure that in most jurisdictions if you search the law you will find phrases about public good or whatever. Regardless of this parking is a big money business and more than one council is having to struggle with its conscience as it banks truck loads of money from what should be a utility.
In this context two stories from the Land Down Under caught my eye. New South Wales is coming under fire for the number of parking tickets that they issue and hence the money they are making. Fines income has gone up by 50% in five years. Local Government Association president Genia McCaffery defended the increase, saying fines were issued to manage traffic and demand for spaces, not to make money.
Pop along the coast to Melbourne and you are in a different world. Melbourne is extending meter charges in the CBD from 7.30 pm to midnight to raise money. Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, defended the change saying that a major highlight of his second budget was the modest 1.9 per cent increase in rates, one of the lowest increase rates among any council across Australia. So it's not about getting re-elected then?
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