A KPRC-950 newsbreak just mentioned that Mayor White may propose that tows for people who cannot afford $75 should be subsidized by raising the towing fees for others drivers. Maybe the mayor reads blogHOUSTON.
And a Chronicle article has more from the mayor’s traffic czar, David Saperstein, on possible program changes:
David Saperstein, the mayor’s mobility chairman, said he’s presented White with several options. One would establish a reduced charge for simply being towed off the freeway to the nearest parking lot for an insignificant repair.
Hardly anyone who has been towed under Safe Clear since a pilot project on the Katy Freeway began in March has voiced objections, he said.
“We handled two complaints from the Katy pilot,” Saperstein said.
Any motorist short on funds should ask the wrecker driver to deliver the car to the nearest mechanic, Saperstein said, which likely will pay the wrecker and add the $75 to the repair bill.
Any changes to Safe Clear would have to be endorsed by the towing companies so the amendments could be added to their contracts.
Towing companies will now have a say in city policy! But, let’s not forget, this is all in the name of safety.
UPDATE: All the local TV station websites have variations of the story about the mayor proposing some changes this afternoon. KHOU-11 has the most interestingly worded one:
That change will address one of the most widely-criticized aspects of the program — what to do about drivers who can’t afford the $75 tow fee.
Now those drivers, and anyone else who doesn’t want to pay $75, will have a choice. They can be towed short distances free of charge, then be on their own to take care of the car’s problem themselves.
Other drivers who don’t mind paying the $75 can still have their car towed within 10 miles of the breakdown site.
That can’t be right, because I imagine everyone would “mind” paying $75 for a tow.
I also like this quote from councilman Michael Berry in the KPRC-2 story:
“We are going to talk about dealing with people who can’t pay, and we are going to be talking about providing a service so that all of society can move and be safe,” Berry said.
Houtopia is right.
The mayor is expected to make his announcement at 1:30, so we should find out then how much more involved and asinine this program will become. I’m still rooting for Sen. Whitmire.
(See also KTRK-13)
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