Mayor warns lots to play fair (Red Sox, Fenway Park)

The Boston Herald ^ | Oct 16, 2004 | David R. Guarino

[Living Free in NH]

Fenway parking lot owners beware - the mayor's watching, and he doesn't like what he sees.

``We're seeing people charge $60, $70, $80 for parking places that go for $15 or $20 during the season - that's gouging,'' Menino said last night.

``We're not going to let them completely gouge the ticket-holder.''

Menino, with the Red Sox backing, fired off a terse letter to some 20 independent Fenway-area parking lot owners yesterday asking them to voluntarily set reasonable prices through the playoffs.

The mayor acknowledges supply and demand can drive up prices but said the owners have to be ``fair'' if they want to be good neighbors - and not incur his legislative wrath down the line.

``If they don't cooperate with us on this gouging, we will seek legislation to control these guys and set parking rates for special events in the future,'' Menino said. ``Gouging doesn't work.''

Menino aides said the Fenway, with its mix of large lots owned by corporations and smaller lots run out of gas stations, is in a tough spot.

If fans who drive don't like the parking lot rates, they'll dump their cars in the neighborhood - taking up the few parking places needed for residents.

[Living Free in NH]

No complaint from the mayor concerning the 100 - 300% mark-up of the ticket prices which were set by the American League. The free market works wonders. If you don't want to pay the going rate, take the subway. If the lots are under used, the prices will come down.

Notice to those unaware of the Fenway area: Fenway Park is smack dab in the middle of the city. There are no lots that are owned by the owners of the stadium (the Red Sox). All lots are private and unaffiliated with the Red Sox.

[flashbunny]

"Menino aides said the Fenway, with its mix of large lots owned by corporations and smaller lots run out of gas stations, is in a tough spot.


If fans who drive don't like the parking lot rates, they'll dump their cars in the neighborhood - taking up the few parking places needed for residents."

Ah, the natural desire for a government to 'do something' that actually makes the problem worse.

[cicero's_son]

Can somebody explain to me the difference between "price gouging" and "the law of supply and demand?"

Anyone?

[mikemc282002]

I know plenty of places to park within 10 minutes of Fenway - for FREE. They want $80? I'll take $75 to tell you where they are.

[cicero's_son]

Yep--and that's capitalism at work.

There is no such thing as "price gouging." There is only what people are willing to pay.

[LibFreeOrDie]

``We're not going to let them completely gouge the ticket-holder.''

Just semi-gouging allowed? Another classic Menino-ism!