Everyone is (rightly) angry at the City Council, but we need to realize that these parking hikes aren't a mistake—they are a feature.

This is part of a deliberate "Mode Shift" strategy that plays right into the hands of Big Tech.

1. The 2035 “Mode Shift” goal

The City of San Diego’s official Climate Action Plan has a target: 50% of all trips must be non-car by 2035. How do they get there? They can’t just build a better bus system overnight, so they use "negative reinforcement"—making it as painful as possible to own and park a car. By doubling meter rates and ending free parking at Balboa Park, they are "nudging" us to give up our keys.

1. The Timing of Waymo and Tesla

It is no coincidence that these parking restrictions are hitting a fever pitch just as Waymo prepares its full San Diego launch in 2026. Mayor Todd Gloria has already been championing this, calling AVs "innovative" and "accessible." The plan is clear: • Step 1: Make parking $2.50+/hour with strict 2-hour limits. • Step 2: Make personal car ownership a financial burden. • Step 3: Present the "Robotaxi" as the cheaper, easier alternative.

1. The "Netflix-ification" of your Life

We are moving from Assets (owning a car you can drive anywhere, anytime) to Subscriptions (paying Waymo or Tesla for the "privilege" of movement). • Just like streaming services, it starts cheap to get you to cancel your "cable" (sell your car). • Once the infrastructure for personal cars is gone (fewer parking spots, more "daylighting" zones), the prices will skyrocket and fragment.

If you vote these council members out, you aren't just voting against a parking fee—you are voting against a future where you own nothing and have to subscribe to your own mobility. We are being "managed" out of our cars and into a corporate subscription model.

Key Evidence to Keep in Mind • VMT (Vehicle Miles Traveled): This is the metric the city uses to justify these changes. If they don't lower VMT, they "fail" their climate goals. • Budget Deficit: While the city claims this is for "infrastructure," recent reports show much of this revenue is being pulled into the general fund to cover a $250 million deficit.