> who see paid street parking as unethical per se.

why?

One reason might be that it’s a lot of public space being dedicated to private purpose. Those who use public transport are paying tax to guard the private vehicles of the rich. Odd.

I read somewhere that half of the space in some downtown areas is dedicated to infrastructure for cars. Seems like a lot.

that would be reason to complain about use of public areas for free parking (and I do this)

but someone complained about paid public parking specifically

Why? Paid or unpaid the space downtown is used for cars. OP may believe that’s wrong.

I don’t think it’s the case that you can’t find a land use undesirable just because it generates income.