Parking in Bus Stop Locations
Twice now in the last month I’ve departed the #10 bus on Forest Park on the east side of Euclid, in front of the Parkview Hotel (map). Both times a car has been parked in the bus stop.
The first time the car was parked between the intersection and the bus stop sign, the bus had to let me off at the hotel driveway because the driver couldn’t get close enough to the curb. Tuesday the illegally parked car was further east so the bus had room to pull to the curb to let me off and pull back out into traffic.
The first time I jokingly asked the bus driver if it would be fun to push such cars out of the way, he affirmed. This time I thought of a recent news story from Europe:
Drivers who park in cycle lanes would normally worry about receiving a fine or perhaps having their vehicle towed. They probably do not expect to have their car crushed beneath the wheels of an armoured personnel carrier which has the local mayor at the controls.
But car owners in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, may be choosing their parking spaces a little more carefully after the city’s mayor, Arturas Zuokas, drove over – and wrecked – a Mercedes in a stunt to serve as a warning to anyone who thinks about parking illegally. (Source)
Here is the video:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ-8xj8CUZw
Recently I was at another bus stop when a motorist parked in the stop where I was waiting. When she got out I asked her to move because the bus was due in minutes. On South Grabd I had to go into the FedEx store to find  the driver of a FedEx truck parked in the bus stop. He pulled out as the bus arrived.
I like and support on-street parking. When I chose to drive my car on-street parking is often the only choice I have to get me close enough to my destination I can walk there. Â The road in Vilnius has zero on-street parking, no wonder they have a problem.
Anyone know where I can get a used tank?
– Steve Patterson
http://www.coldwarremarketing.com/Â 😉
But seriously, this is an enforcement issue. And one problem I see here is that the parking restriction is, many times, on the bus stop sign, and not on separate, “official”, city “No Parking” signs.
http://www.coldwarremarketing.com/ 😉
But seriously, this is an enforcement issue. And one problem I see here is that the parking restriction is, many times, on the bus stop sign, and not on separate, “official”, city “No Parking” signs.
An enforcement issue? Who doesn’t know you don’t park in a bus stop? This is more of a laziness issue in my eyes.
Sure it’s a laziness or even a clueless issue, but these folks won’t “learn” until they get penalized (and that ain’t happenin’!) . . .
An enforcement issue? Who doesn’t know you don’t park in a bus stop? This is more of a laziness issue in my eyes.
Steve, next time, would you just CALL A COP! Hell, you don’t even have to call 911. Use the 231-1212 number, declare a non-emergency, and tell them about the car parked in the bus stop zone. Especially if it’s some douche in a status car like this BMW. Hmmm, I wonder who owns KA6 R8K?
Steve, next time, would you just CALL A COP! Hell, you don’t even have to call 911. Use the 231-1212 number, declare a non-emergency, and tell them about the car parked in the bus stop zone. Especially if it’s some douche in a status car like this BMW. Hmmm, I wonder who owns KA6 R8K?
Look, it was HOT and I had a meeting in 10 minutes a block and a half away. I have the non-emergency number in my phone, I wasn’t in the mood to hear the dispatcher tell me the police have real problems to deal with.
Guess I shouldn’t have “internet shouted” there:) Mea Culpa.
I thought Larry Williams’ office enforced parking?
Look, it was HOT and I had a meeting in 10 minutes a block and a half away. I have the non-emergency number in my phone, I wasn’t in the mood to hear the dispatcher tell me the police have real problems to deal with.
Steve,
There is zero traffic law enforcement in St. Louis. A landscape truck at BJC routinely parks on the sidewalk forcing pedestrians (me) into the street. I am working with BJC on this and called the landscaping company this morning. Police don’t enforce speeding, red light running, on and on, so I doubt they would enforce parking in a bus stop. By the way, I was told by some older local railway enthusiasts that trolley operators routinely would push cars out of the way that were blocking the tracks.
Steve,
There is zero traffic law enforcement in St. Louis. A landscape truck at BJC routinely parks on the sidewalk forcing pedestrians (me) into the street. I am working with BJC on this and called the landscaping company this morning. Police don’t enforce speeding, red light running, on and on, so I doubt they would enforce parking in a bus stop. By the way, I was told by some older local railway enthusiasts that trolley operators routinely would push cars out of the way that were blocking the tracks.
Steve,
There is zero traffic law enforcement in St. Louis. A landscape truck at BJC routinely parks on the sidewalk forcing pedestrians (me) into the street. I am working with BJC on this and called the landscaping company this morning. Police don’t enforce speeding, red light running, on and on, so I doubt they would enforce parking in a bus stop. By the way, I was told by some older local railway enthusiasts that trolley operators routinely would push cars out of the way that were blocking the tracks.
I agree completely. I guess I’m used to Denver, where bus stops in congested areas have official, city “No Parking” signs and enforcement occurs on a daily basis. I truly am baffled on why a city like St. Louis, who continually struggles with budget issues, isn’t more aggressive in enforcing its traffic laws. I don’t expect sworn police officers to be writing parking tickets, but I would expect a lot more effort at getting specialized parking enforcement personnel on the streets, since doing so would generate significant net revenues without raising taxes (Denver gets millions).
The only two reasons I can see why it’s not happening are that our esteemed aldermen make it too hard to collect on valid tickets (no proof, just hearsay) and/or we can’t hire enough people to do the job, since they’re afraid of being shot or killed. I’m not sure that we need to be as extreme as Detroit or Philly (http://www.aetv.com/parking-wars/), but laws without enforcement truly are worthless . . .
In some areas, parking enforcement is constant and hard-hitting. In Midtown, there’s heavy patrol all day weekdays, and if you park illegally anywhere near SLU for any amount of time, you’re almost guaranteed a ticket. I speak as a frequent recipient of said tickets.
I’m surprised they’re not more hard-hitting about it in the CWE of all places.
I live in the CWE. Larry has his crew out at 7:01 to catch the first folks who try and run in and get their coffee without paying the meter
My theory has been that as a “state agency” the police do what they want. I always thought traffic enforcement was the first step in the “broken window” syndrome, stop speeders, arrest those with outstanding warrants.
I’ve noticed that Metro popo behavior is often predicated on the surrounding neighborhoods’ avg income, and demographic make-up. For instance, here in Dutchtown, they will often take a “meh, f*** it” attitude. Whereas in nabes like Benton Park and SW Garden nabe, where my bros live, they are considerably more proactive. Of course, I have also noticed that City cops are just plain f***ing lazy. Because they can be, as they are not technically our employees. I think a little bit of both can apply here. Plus, as Steve noted above, it was hot that day, so maybe the parking enforcement drones just didn’t feel like doing there jobs. As I’ve noted before, I wish this City was as hardcore about enforcement as DC, then this Bullshit wouldn’t happen, and, as you say, they could rake in the dough from it. Who knows, maybe the douchebag pols don’t want to piss off the rubes and the sloburbanites who’d inevitably whine about getting a ticket for parking where they shouldn’t. ‘Tis a mystery, indeed.
You only get as good of police protection as you demand. The rich scream and holler for increased protection, while the poor rarely speak up.
What exactly is the law on how close you can be to the bus stop? This morning I waited at a stop that had a car parked within a couple of feet of the stop and a delivery truck parked in the road directly in front of the stop. This can’t be legal.
What exactly is the law on how close you can be to the bus stop? This morning I waited at a stop that had a car parked within a couple of feet of the stop and a delivery truck parked in the road directly in front of the stop. This can’t be legal.
“17.24.070 Prohibited parking.
Except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, or in compliance with law or the direction of a police officer or official traffic-control device, no person shall park a vehicle:
K. In a bus zone, except while actually engaged in unloading passengers or picking up waiting passengers;”
I guess the question then becomes who defines a “bus zone” and how is one identified so that people know not to park in one.
“17.24.070 Prohibited parking.
Except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, or in compliance with law or the direction of a police officer or official traffic-control device, no person shall park a vehicle:
K. In a bus zone, except while actually engaged in unloading passengers or picking up waiting passengers;”
I guess the question then becomes who defines a “bus zone” and how is one identified so that people know not to park in one.
I’ve been to several major cities where the “bus zone” was clearly marked on the pavement. (San Fran, Seattle, NYC) Made things a LOT easier to determine what was a space up for grabs or not. Paint is cheap, I wonder why we can’t do that here?
Looking at the newly painted crosswalk Steve posted about, I don’t think the City even uses proper pavement paint, so cost doesn’t appear to be a concern.
I agree completely. I guess I’m used to Denver, where bus stops in congested areas have official, city “No Parking” signs and enforcement occurs on a daily basis. I truly am baffled on why a city like St. Louis, who continually struggles with budget issues, isn’t more aggressive in enforcing its traffic laws. I don’t expect sworn police officers to be writing parking tickets, but I would expect a lot more effort at getting specialized parking enforcement personnel on the streets, since doing so would generate significant net revenues without raising taxes (Denver gets millions).
The only two reasons I can see why it’s not happening are that our esteemed aldermen make it too hard to collect on valid tickets (no proof, just hearsay) and/or we can’t hire enough people to do the job, since they’re afraid of being shot or killed. I’m not sure that we need to be as extreme as Detroit or Philly (http://www.aetv.com/parking-wars/), but laws without enforcement truly are worthless . . .
Sure it’s a laziness or even a clueless issue, but these folks won’t “learn” until they get penalized (and that ain’t happenin’!) . . .
In some areas, parking enforcement is constant and hard-hitting. In Midtown, there’s heavy patrol all day weekdays, and if you park illegally anywhere near SLU for any amount of time, you’re almost guaranteed a ticket. I speak as a frequent recipient of said tickets.
I’m surprised they’re not more hard-hitting about it in the CWE of all places.
I thought Larry Williams’ office enforced parking?Â
I’ve been to several major cities where the “bus zone” was clearly marked on the pavement. (San Fran, Seattle, NYC) Made things a LOT easier to determine what was a space up for grabs or not. Paint is cheap, I wonder why we can’t do that here?
I live in the CWE. Larry has his crew out at 7:01 to catch the first folks who try and run in and get their coffee without paying the meter
My theory has been that as a “state agency” the police do what they want. I always thought traffic enforcement was the first step in the “broken window” syndrome, stop speeders, arrest those with outstanding warrants.
Guess I shouldn’t have “internet shouted” there:) Mea Culpa.
I’ve noticed that Metro popo behavior is often predicated on the surrounding neighborhoods’ avg income, and demographic make-up. For instance, here in Dutchtown, they will often take a “meh, f*** it” attitude. Whereas in nabes like Benton Park and SW Garden nabe, where my bros live, they are considerably more proactive. Of course, I have also noticed that City cops are just plain f***ing lazy. Because they can be, as they are not technically our employees. I think a little bit of both can apply here. Plus, as Steve noted above, it was hot that day, so maybe the parking enforcement drones just didn’t feel like doing there jobs. As I’ve noted before, I wish this City was as hardcore about enforcement as DC, then this Bullshit wouldn’t happen, and, as you say, they could rake in the dough from it. Who knows, maybe the douchebag pols don’t want to piss off the rubes and the sloburbanites who’d inevitably whine about getting a ticket for parking where they shouldn’t. ‘Tis a mystery, indeed.
Looking at the newly painted crosswalk Steve posted about, I don’t think the City even uses proper pavement paint, so cost doesn’t appear to be a concern.
You only get as good of police protection as you demand. The rich scream and holler for increased protection, while the poor rarely speak up.
People have no respect for bus stops, fire hydrants, stop signs, you name it. They will park in front of one because of the same pathetic excuse: I’m only going to be a minute.
I wish it was as easy as calling a cop, but by the time they arrive, the perk is gone and let’s be honest, the cops have better things to do.  I’m wondering if I should just be dropping a few nails in front of the tires…but then that will effect innocents….maybe just one nail then! Or some sticker that can’t be removed right in their front window!!!!!!!!!
People have no respect for bus stops, fire hydrants, stop signs, you name it. They will park in front of one because of the same pathetic excuse: I’m only going to be a minute.
I wish it was as easy as calling a cop, but by the time they arrive, the perk is gone and let’s be honest, the cops have better things to do. I’m wondering if I should just be dropping a few nails in front of the tires…but then that will effect innocents….maybe just one nail then! Or some sticker that can’t be removed right in their front window!!!!!!!!!