Before Labor Day, Mayor Bloomberg vetoed the NYC City Council’s measure to suspend NYC parking meter rules on Sundays.  The Council has vowed to override the veto, but has not done so in advance of the Sept. 13 primary election.

   Democratic mayoral candidates Fernando Ferrer and Gifford Miller pushed strongly to end what they called a “Pay to Pray” policy — unreasonable and perhaps unethical enforcement of metered parking rules near churches.

   The mayor said the issue was one of traffic management, citing meters’ ability to increase parking spot turnover and thereby improve access for more people to busy areas. 

   The mayor found support from three Queens Councilmembers, including transportation committee chair John Liu (Tony Avella and Helen Sears were the others).  They represent districts containing crowded commercial hubs. 

   Transportation experts and advocates also opposed the Council’s action, noting that unmetered  parking contributes to congestion by increasing cruising for a space and double parking. Transportation Alternatives called on the city to preserve Sunday metering and to raise rates to reduce NYC’s huge price differential between curbside and off-street parking.

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