Pay Parking at the Tram?

[dwtrekker]

I was surprised to see this in Desert Sun article about the tram this morning.

"Construction is set to begin Monday on a parking kiosk at the Valley Station, allowing the tram to initiate a paid parking plan. That project should be complete in about three months."

Anyone have details?

Here's the article:

http://www.mydesert.com/article/2013091 ... PS-tramway

[lilbitmo]

The ticket price for the tram itself is high enough to cover parking, now they are just sticking it too us

[Hikin_Jim]

lol. Nickel and dime silliness. I guess they figure if they raise tram prices too much people will rebel, so they'll keep tram prices lower and make up for it with a parking fee, two lower fees being perhaps more psychologically palatable than a single higher fee.

HJ

[Florian]

If i recall correctly when the tram first opened you did pay for parking. There was a toll booth just before the first parking lot. You can still see the divider in the middle of the road.

-Florian

[Hikin_Jim]

We're regressing. Eww.

If it's per day, it'll really suck for backpackers.

HJ

[Wildhorse]

People won't like to pay to park and then pay to ride the tram.

More people might start using the Skyline Trail instead.

[Perry]

If they had a bike rack, would anybody else leave their bike before doing Skyline? I used to do it all the time and bike back to the museum, but I would lock my bike to a metal rail because there was no bike rack.

[ishootstars]

thats horrible news. i don't see this as being a good thing for all parties involved. id be more than happy to pay more for my tram ticket if meant parking would remain free.

[lesper4]

If anything the parking should be free with a tram permit, just show proof if you leave. Have the people who drive up to just the station have to pay?

[TDGillam]

I am sure everyone noticed all of Asians in the tram station this last year. You may not be aware but there is a huge demographic shift occurring, and its not just in SoCal, it is worldwide. Re-distribution of wealth has led to chinese nahionals coming to the USA with suitcases of cash to purchase business's, and homes in the best areas with the best schools. I just sold one for big bucks and it is a tear down. So here is my point. In the rest of the world one must pay for pretty much everything they do. The Tram is a for profit business and they have new customers now. Not whiney hikers who think they are hot stuff because they hike skyline once in awhile and buy or mooch a beer at the tram bar. No, these are real cash rich consumers haply to lay out a $20 to park. No problem. Florian may be correct about paying to park in the beginning, at 58 I cant remember that, only what a great thing the tram was to all of us who watched it being built. Also, even though I am not a cash rich foreigner I love fees like this as it help to keep out low-end riff raff who tend to congregate for freebies.