Legislation Request - Repeal §19-167, run parking meters on Sundays

NYC Law currently restricts DOT from charging for on-street parking on Sundays. This effectively subsidizes drivers 14% of the time when those using public transit or other sustainable modes of transit receive no similar benefit. Because cars are a source of noise and air pollution (among so many other issues) we need to do the opposite and charge for parking to reduce car ownership and vehicle use broadly.

Please introduce legislation that repeals NYC Administrative Code § 19-167(b). Please also consider repealing all of 19-167 which generally burdens DOT with notification requirements when adding or changing metered parking.

I believe this would also address an equity issue where those owning cars in NYC are statistically better off than those using mass transit which means this restriction benefits the wealthy.

Legislative History

Intro 0359-2004 to bar DOT from running parking meters on Sundays was introduced in May 2004 by Council member Hiram Monserrate. It did not get a hearing in that legislative session. (Monserrate would go on to the NY Senate and later be expelled from the Senate following an assault conviction, and then spent 2 years in prison for corruption related to his time in the NYC Council). It was re-introduced in the following session as Intro 0669-2005 and passed in 2005 overriding a veto by then Mayor Bloomberg.

The argument for vetoing this bill in 2005 (emphasis mine):

Meters are an invaluable traffic management tool that are used to maintain access to the limited number of curb spaces around the City.  One of the principle purposes of meters, regardless of which day they are in effect, is to turn over parking spaces so that more people can gain access to parking spots in a busy commercial area.  By having meters in effect on Sunday, curb spaces “turn over” allowing for more parking and commercial activity.  The majority of the City’s meters are not activated on Sundays, however, there are many areas where Sunday meters are essential to both motorists and businesses.