MonkeyParking app good or bar

NYSpeed Automotive
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San Francisco has banned the use of apps which allow people to buy and sell public parking spaces.

Parking is a huge problem in the city and Rome-based start-up MonkeyParking thought it had come up with a solution.
The app lets users auction off public parking spaces that they are using and wait for the buyer to arrive before pulling out.
But the city says it is illegal to auction off public land and has threatened to fine anyone doing so.
San Francisco lawyer Dennis Herrera sent a cease-and-desist order to MonkeyParking and has also asked Apple to remove it from the app store for violating local law.

Private profitThe mobile peer-to-peer app describes itself as the first “which lets you make money every time that you are about to leave your on-street parking spot”.
But according to a statement from Mr Herrera it “creates a predatory private market for public parking spaces that San Franciscans will not tolerate”.
“We will not abide businesses that hold hostage on-street public parking spots for their own private profit.”
He said that the company would be subject to fines of up to $2,500 (£1,470) per violation and it has been given until 11 July to stop operating in the city. Users of the app would also be subject to a $300 fine.

In response, MonkeyParking co-founder Roberto Zanetti said that the firm is talking to its lawyers about the letter.
“As a general principle we believe that a new company providing value to people should be regulated and not banned,” he told the BBC.
“This applies also to companies like Airbnb, Uber and Lyft that are continuously facing difficulties while delivering something that makes users happy.”
Uber, which offers private car hire via an app, has faced a backlash across Europe with taxi drivers angry that it does not face the same regulation as they do.
Two other parking apps which offer a similar service to MonkeyParking - Sweetch and ParkModo - have been warned they will receive similar letters.
Apps such as CARMAnation that allow people to rent private parking spaces are not affected by the ban.
“People are free to rent out their own private driveways and garage spaces should they choose to do so,” said Mr Herrera.

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lol awesome

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So much conflict in me on this one. The libertarian in me hates it because it’s more nonsense regulation. Then the other part of me thinks it’s such a huge douche move to sell your parking spot that I don’t care.

After further consideration I voted it should not be legal. Public spaces are public and that should be final. If you allow this what’s next? Can I show up a public campgrounds and snag the best spot and make people pay me to leave?

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I feel like anyone doing this will never make money. If you use the app I’m sure you spend the buck or whatever to get a spot then possibly get a buck when you leave. Its not like its super mainstream or its a person standing in the spot on their phone waiting for a couple bucks.

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That seat is saved…sorry.

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Interesting idea, but are the occupied spots paid spots? In other words, is someone feeding a machine quarters, getting 2 hours then before they leave essentially holding the space for another person for a fee?

If the public spaces are free, yeah I can’t agree with it. If the public spaces are paid, then maybe I could.

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“Seats taken”.

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Eh in SFO something like this could go super mainstream in a week its 90% huge nerds

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And nerds with too much money besides. They wouldn’t be selling the spots for $1, I guarantee that.

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The other issue is who owns a car in SFO?

It’s all fixies and unicycles

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I would think during sports events and public functions this would be huge. I see it turning into people camping out days prior to the event, just to sell a spot to someone else to turn a profit.

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My sister lives out there. I’ve visited her a bunch of times. Parking was never an issue? Like above, during a big event maybe? But the new stadiums are more less outside the city proper. Dunno? I guess from purely a, why do we have to charge money for everything standpoint, I am against it.

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More shit that makes me understand why the rest of the world hates us.