Free Parking For Hybrid Cars Rejected

You'll still pay to park the Prius in Doylestown.

The borough 25 miles north of Philadelphia looked at a proposal for free parking for hybrid or electric vehicles at meters and borough lots. It went to unanimous defeat at Wednesday night's Borough Council meeting.

Assistant Borough Manager Phil Ehlinger suggested it as a way to encourage people to buy environmentally friendly vehicles. The borough's environmental advisory council endorsed the idea.

Councilman John Buckman said he doesn't see how the proposal would benefit the general public.

Councilwoman Joan Doyle said she doesn't want parking enforcement officers wasting time peering at every car, truck and SUV looking for hybrid badges.

She also says the program would discriminate against those who can't afford hybrid or electric vehicles.