Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
City Wants To Make Even More Money From Meters
By
Ben Muessig
Published Mar 23, 2010
Modified Mar 23, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Muessig
Published Mar 23, 2010
Modified Mar 23, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
With the rest of the budget looking bleak, parking meters are apparently one of Mayor Bloomberg's few remaining cash cows. The city is anticipating an increase in the amount of money generated by parking meters, bringing earnings to $157 million—up 50 percent from two years ago. That cash, combined with money from towing fees and city-owned parking lots, constitutes a $1 billion revenue stream that shows no signs of drying up, the Advance reports.
The spike in parking-related revenue can be attributed to a number of factors including a surge in the number of traffic enforcement agents, a more aggressive ticketing policy, an increase in the number of parking spots due to the installation of muni-meters, and price hikes at parking meters. In some parts of the city, officials have changed parking prices from $.25 for 30 minutes to $.25 for 20 minutes, and there are plans to begin charging drivers as much as $2.50 per hour to park in some parts of Manhattan.
The city could still be making much more from metered spaces if it wasn't for parking placards, which often allow city workers to escape tickets when they don't pay meters or park illegally. "They've gotten so blatantly ridiculous," City Councilman Leroy Comrie told the Daily News. "I don't know why they can't free up those spaces ... Most of the placards are illegal." And think about how much more cash the city could make if ticketing agents didn't have to wait out that five minute "grace period" before pouncing.
Tagged
budget
leroy comrie
mayor bloomberg
parking
parking meter
parking ticket
revenue
traffic enforcement officer
Ben Muessig
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Astoria-born Chip City announces sudden closure days after former CEO sues
The company blamed ‘macro-economic headwinds.’ The co-founder is suing over compensation.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 3, 2026 at 11:29 a.m. ET
US judge tosses Trump lawsuit targeting pro-Palestinian protesters in NJ
The Justice Department sued demonstrators who protested at a synagogue, under a law aimed at shielding abortion clinics.
By
Willow Higgins
News
US judge tosses Trump lawsuit targeting pro-Palestinian protesters in NJ
The Justice Department sued demonstrators who protested at a synagogue, under a law aimed at shielding abortion clinics.
By
Willow Higgins
A big, bright Saturn will be the highlight of NYC's fall stargazing season
By
Rosemary Misdary
NYC tow companies busted for ripping off drivers must give $67K in refunds, city says
By
Liam Quigley
Off-duty NYPD officer stabbed in the Bronx, police say
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .