Flexible Meter Pricing Comes To Clement St.Photos: Nikki Collister/Hoodline
Nikki Collister
Published on June 30, 2017

Those who find it tough to find parking on Clement Street during the weekend may now find some relief, although it may come at a higher price.

SFMTA-run SFpark is implementing demand-responsive parking along the entirety of Clement Street, which will adjust parking rates based on the percentage of meters currently in use.

As reported by the Richmond District Blog, metered parking along Clement is currently set at a fixed rate of $2.25 per hour, but with the new changes in place, that rate will "fluctuate up or down by $.25 per hour depending on demand."

This means parking rates could be as low as $.50 per hour, or as high as $8 per hour, although that maximum is typically only reached at meters near large venues like AT&T Park.

While this is the first instance of demand-responsive pricing in the Richmond District, it’s not a new concept in San Francisco.

SFpark began its pilot program in 2010, which introduced demand-responsive pricing in neighborhoods like Hayes Valley, the Mission and the Fillmore, in addition to SoMa and the Financial District.

Since then, the project’s scope has expanded to 7,000 of the city’s 28,800 metered spaces, according to SFpark.org.

As we reported last October, SFMTA spokesperson Paul Rose hailed the pilot program as a success, citing a 43 percent decrease in parking search time, and an overall decrease in average meter and garage rates.

Source: SFPark Pilot Project Evaluation

What does this mean for merchants and residents along Clement Street? According to SFMTA’s findings, the program has boosted business by allowing more customers to find parking, albeit at a higher rate during peak hours.

"With parking faster to find and pay for, it’s easier to enjoy the City’s commercial areas," reads a statement on the SFpark website. "Less congested, safer and more pleasant neighborhoods mean better business."

For area residents, parking on Clement during busy times may no longer be the best option, but outside of peak hours, fluctuating rates could actually be a money-saver. As the initial pilot project saw, average weekday hourly rates decreased in Civic Center, Fisherman’s Wharf, and South Embarcadero.  

Source: SFPark Pilot Project Evaluation

SFpark states on its website that demand-responsive parking opens up more spaces on each block and reduces circling and double-parking, contributing to overall safety in pedestrian-heavy areas.

Will you be making use of Clement Street's parking meters this holiday weekend? Keep an eye on SFpark's live availability map or download the mobile app to check parking availability and rates.