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Comment by jeffwilcox | Hacker News Reader

Cities are funny places. Off topic mildly but still vehicles using bike lanes...

I often wonder about armored delivery vehicles - ATM/cash movement firms like Brinks. Do they have some sort of deal with cities to not receive tickets for blocking lanes, standing in bus lanes, bike lanes, not paying for parking, etc... or do they actually get tickets, paying them as they come in? Or are they some sort of specialized vehicle?

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That is an interesting point. Someone probably figured it out they could buy what looks like an armored verhicle. Setup an LLC with some security sounding name. Then probably park it around the city whenever they want. Not sure if it would be worth the trouble with all the cost in fuel, but who knows.

Heard about someone before buying a Crown Vic and getting a taxi package (or whatever the search comes with) and driving that around. They weren't impersonating an officer, but cars would regularly slow down around or get out of his way when he was behind them.

I don't know about Brinks, but but unarmored delivery vehicles are routinely ticketed and towed. http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/14/when-a-fedex-tr...

In France there are designated spots right in front of the ATM for the fund transfert trucks. It's forbidden for normal cars to park there. I'm not sure about the move, since some fund transfert trucks are unmarked (I don't know the criterion they use to choose between using an armored truck and discreet truck).

As far as I'm aware, the only special treatment the delivery companies get is an expedited system for the bulk payment of the fines their drivers collect.

Like FedEx and UPS, tickets are generally considered the "cost of doing business," I doubt they get any special treatment.

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