This press release was issued today. This program only applies to parking meters in the CITY of Los Angeles not the county. I assume all the airports under LAWA (LAX, Van Nuys, Ontario and Palmdale) also apply. The press release header says the program is extended to 2007 but it's actually 2008, albeit Jan. 1st 2008. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Josh Kamensky (213) 473-7013 June 21, 2006 HYBRIDS STILL OK TO PARK FREE AT CITY METERS COUNCIL EXTENDS GARCETTI PROGRAM THROUGH 2007 A popular program initiated by Council President Eric Garcetti in 2004 had its lifetime extended by a unanimous vote of the City Council today. Enjoyed by drivers and found to have a negligible effect on city coffers, the exemption for properly licensed hybrid and zero-emission vehicles ("Clean Air Vehicles") from parking meter fees will remain in effect. "As the city undertakes reducing the environmental impact of its fleet by turning to hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles, we feel it's appropriate to offer a perk to L.A.'s drivers who might be thinking of making a similar switch," said Garcetti. To participate in the program, drivers must display a California Department of Motor Vehicles Clean Air Vehicle decal. Drivers must obey posted time limits and preferential parking restrictions, but are not charged for metered parking in the City of Los Angeles. The program has been extended until January 1, 2008, at which time it can be renewed. The Department of Transportation reported that 261 eligible hybrid vehicles have been observed participating in the free metered parking pilot program, resulting in a program cost of less than 0.31% of total annual meter revenue. Also at http://www.cd13.com/
Now if they'd only extend this to San Francisco... yah right, money grubbing politicians wouldn't want to release their strangle hold on the parking extortion scam.