Alameda ferry parking restrictions prompts neighbor to offer driveway for a price

ALAMEDA, Calif. (KGO) -- Ferry passengers face a big change when it comes to parking at the Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal in Alameda.

Starting Tuesday they will no longer be allowed to park on neighboring streets around the terminal.

In the five nearby neighborhoods, restrictions range from a maximum of four hours of parking to a total ban.

"The only ferry I can take to the city is the latest ferry of the day and by the time I get here all of these parking spots are already full," working mom Jennifer Jeffers said.

Jeffers is concerned about the new neighborhood parking restrictions.

"I feel it's just not fair to take that option away from commuters and not give them anywhere to park," Hena Akhtar said.

Akhtar sees both sides, she's a homeowner who's come up with a solution to relieve the situation.

Four hour street parking restrictions start august 1st, but Akhtar decided to make this offer.

"It's $10.99 a day, and for August we are doing $7.99 a day," Akhtar said.

That's the price for her driveway a solution that's part of a neighborhood network she's hoping to grow with a mobile app.

"This is more for parking in a pinch when people absolutely need it," Akhtar said.

Alameda Mayor Trish Spencer says the goal is to encourage biking, bussing or walking to the ferry terminal.

"The last ferry out of San Francisco is at 8:30 a.m. Our elementary school starts at 8:20 a.m., so there's like a crunch time, and unfortunately we have to address the safety issue. And the cars scrambling to get in the last space in front of someone's home,"

Parking restrictions will be enforced with Alameda police giving warnings until September 1st, then violators will receive tickets.