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San Francisco Bans Parking Spot Auctioning App

A couple months ago, we discussed a new phone app being used in San Francisco to auction off parking spaces to the highest bidder. The city has now ordered the app makers to cease and desist, and threatened motorists with a $300 fine for each transaction. City Attorney Dennis Herrera said, Technology has given rise to many laudable innovations in how we live and work -- and Monkey Parking is not one of them. It's illegal, it puts drivers on the hook for $300 fines, and it creates a predatory private market for public parking spaces that San Franciscans will not tolerate. Worst of all, it encourages drivers to use their mobile devices unsafely — to engage in online bidding wars while driving. People are free to rent out their own private driveways and garage spaces should they choose to do so. But we will not abide businesses that hold hostage on-street public parking spots for their own private profit.

4 of 404 comments (clear)

  1. Communism by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Banning this is communism!
    This is the free market at work.

    1. Re:Communism by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 2, Funny

      Parking spots are the means of production?
      I don't think so.

      --
      I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
    2. Re:Communism by Darinbob · · Score: 4, Funny

      Parking lots are the means of reproduction, in some cities.

  2. Re:Anyone who knows street parking in San Francisc by DerekLyons · · Score: 3, Funny

    It's city's fault for not designing streets for both residents and expected number of visitors.

    Yes - damn the city planners of the 1870's for not anticipating the conditions of 2014.