Additional disincentives for driving (i.e., congestion pricing and new parking fees) are on the mayor's agenda in San Francisco.
"Car-free Market Street was the first step, but traffic in downtown San Francisco is often still a nightmare at rush hour," writes Madeline Wells.
Mayor Breed is arguing for congestion pricing as an additional measure to reduce automobile trips around the city. Mayor Breed called for congestion pricing in a letter to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s Board of Directors.
According to Wells, Mayor Breed is specifically calling for tolls on busy roads at peak times as well as charges for street parking on Sundays and evenings. Mayor Breed targeted SoMa (South of Market) and Downtown for the reforms.
"Already, the San Francisco County Transportation Authority is considering charging a fee to drive in these areas during rush hour, with an expectation to release proposals on the topic early next year. However, the introduction of these measures would require San Francisco to pass legislation that allows the city to charge fees for the use of public roads," according to Wells.
Rachel Swan originally reported the news about Mayor Breed's advocacy for congestion pricing in a paywalled article for the San Francisco Chronicle.
San Francisco is already among the nationwide leaders in wielding planning tools to reverse the dominance of automobiles in urban areas. New York City blocked car traffic on 14th Street in Manhattan, like San Francisco did on Market Street, and is moving forward with a congestion pricing scheme with support from the city and the state.
FULL STORY: London Breed presses for Sunday and evening parking meters, congestion pricing
Congestion Pricing Scheme Up for Discussion in San Francisco
The public is providing feedback for the idea of a congestion pricing scheme that could charge as much as $12 to drive into Downtown San Francisco.
Latest San Francisco Bike Battlefront: Valencia Street
With most private auto traffic banned on Market Street in downtown, a battle is brewing in the Mission District between Valencia Street merchants, led by a bike store owner, and cyclists who support converting a bike lane into a cycletrack.
Social Equity Cited in Veto of California Road Pricing Bill
Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a unique road pricing bill due to concerns that charging a fee would limit access to driving on two blocks of Lombard Street, a popular tourist attraction in San Francisco that is severely congested.
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
Los Angeles County Invests in Wildfire Recovery for Parks, Trails, and Open Space
The $4.25 million RESTORE Program supports the recovery of parks, trails, and open spaces damaged by the January 2025 wildfires through targeted grants that promote community healing, wildfire resilience, and equitable access to nature.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service