Officials are proposing sweeping changes to Metro’s parking system, including a 25-cent-a-day increase for non-metered daily spaces and up to a $2-a-day increase for metered spaces.
The proposal would also replace up to half of all seven-hour meters with 12-hour meters, which could limit space for noncommuter use of the system’s 36 parking facilities. And Metro officials will also allow up to 30 percent of all spaces to be set aside for reserved customers while increasing reserve permit fees to $50 a month from $45.
Parking can be easy at some Metro stations, but at others — including huge garages at the Vienna and Shady Grove stations with more than 5,400 spaces each — available spots are a hot commodity that at least some are willing to pay more to get.
“The changes don’t sound too dramatic,” said David Applebaum, who commutes daily from the Viennastation to Foggy Bottom. “If I can get my hands on a reserved spot, I probably would. It’s a hassle trying to find an open meter here unless you get here pretty early.”
Metro officials say the changes are meant to improve customer service. The changes will also bring in an extra $4 million annually.
Metro interim General Manager Dan Tangherlini said he doesn’t expect fares to increase until 2008.
Metro’s parking system
» 3,592 metered spaces and 58,209 daily parking spaces
» 36 parking garages with between 194 and 5,489 spaces
» Rates range from $2.50 to $4
» Credit card readers are under consideration at parking lots.
