Readers vent on crowded mall parking lots, paying to park

QThe main reason I stopped shopping at Valley Fair is because of the parking issues. I’ve been in several verbal fights due to parking there. It was easy when I had an electric car, but now I sit in line for 45 minutes. I’ll pay to park there if it means less people. — Krista Mcauley Q

I doubt it’ll mean fewer shoppers. It could be similar to Westfield in San Diego, which offers two hours of free parking, then charges $2 per hour after that, up to $12 maximum for the day. They are doing it because people are parking their cars from morning until night and they aren’t even at the mall. This could be a simmering issue for weeks, so stay tuned.

QIt took me over an hour when I went to Santana Row to get out of the parking lot. I’m never taking my car to either place again. I will either take the bus and park my car along Stevens Creek Boulevard, or I will take Lyft. — Melissa Hastings

QCan you imagine the backups during the Christmas holidays while people are trying to get into the parking lot and sitting in the queue to get their ticket, and better yet find a parking ticket on the way out to pay?

It can take 30-plus minutes to get out of the parking lot with the traffic alone. — R. More

AChristmas shopping at the mall can be a challenge.

QI can see charging a nominal fee, but then allowing retailers to validate. That way, people who are there to shop won’t have to pay. I understand they can’t afford to provide free parking for the entire neighborhood.

They should at least make a deal with Santana Row to allow cross-validation so people don’t have to drive across the street and park again if they want to shop. — Rob C.

QMaybe it’ll fix the parking problems. — Peggy Gneham

AAn open parking space at the mall would be worth a few bucks.

QJust wait. I guarantee Stanford, in particular, will watch how well it’s received and immediately begin planning paid parking for themselves. — Alec Murphy

QThey aren’t that stupid. They are just saying this to observe the reaction, sort of like setting up a poll, for free. It would be highly unlikely that management would charge for parking. It’s more likely they might charge during the Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Christmas holidays since the demand is so high. Be smart, suckers. Vote with your dollar, folks. — Jeffrey Collins

ASmart suckers? Check back in a few months.

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