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[jjaynes]

There was an opinion column in the Globe yesterday that started off whining about how Mayor Menino has declared war on cars, apparently by taking away parking spaces to make spaces for taxis, loading zones, Hubway bikes, etc. I didn't get very far into it because I had no sympathy.

First, parking in Boston has always sucked. There is no sudden,

Comments

[rufinia]

Quite frankly, we could use a war on cars in the city.

Owning vehicle transportation is not protected by the constitution.

[kaetaur13]

I've always told people that owning and operating vehicular transportation is not protected by the constitution. Since you choose to own said item, you choose the responsibility of storage. Operating on the public roads is a priveledge allowed with proof of licensure. Otherwise we don't stop you from walking.

I also want our government to increase public transit options and create jobs with these options. I think this is best achieved with higher gas and excise tax. Sadly it also means that transit fares need to be increased as needed to keep the system running.

[richenza]

On the flip side, I remember working at the Langham. Our shifts started before public transportation kicked in in the morning, so it was either fight the parking battle or get a cab. Terrence does it still. When they cut down the free parking spaces from 6 to 3 in the area, it made a real difference in how much of your pay went to paying for parking. An overnight shift of trains would not be unwelcome, if they want to limit car traffic.

[jjaynes]

I totally feel you on this. Why make people on the early shift suffer even more by not having public transit? Cutting down parking spaces does need to be balanced with improving other options, *and* making people aware of these other options.

Improving transit is key.

[kaetaur13]

Improving public transit is key to all of this. Personally I'd love to have a 24 hours bus/T schedule.