[LostInBayport]

Thanking meter maids - not so much. Parking is nothing but a cash cow racket for the city & towing industry.

Agree. The main reason for parking enforcement is to keep people from occupying spaces all day and make them available for others. But I have been walking down a street with a plethora of empty metered spaces and seen a meter maid walk right up to the lone car on that street and ticket it. In violation of some rule? Probably. Was that violation harming anyone at that moment? Not likely. But the city wants some money.

Check out the comments on some of the British news sites. The councils have made parking so costly, including fines, that they are killing local businesses. Their customers will opt to shop online rather than face the merciless wrath of the meter people the author in this article applauds.

[gubamyster]

The councils have made parking so costly, including fines, that they are killing local businesses.

The same thing in many cities here. Businesses complain the cost of parking is driving (so to speak) away business. Not only is the parking exorbitant but if your're late, the fines are $39 or $50 dollars.

You are correct, the intended purpose should be to circulate vehicles, opening up spots but it has turned into a revenue generator.