AUSTIN, Texas -- Finding a parking spot in the downtown Austin area isn't always easy and now some of the meter times are changing.
Starting Wednesday, people will now have to pay for parking from 8 a.m. until midnight Wednesday through Friday.
Previously, people only had to pay to park until 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
Jen Samp with the Austin Transportation Department said they are "speculating that Wednesdays are becoming more popular for nightlife, but that was not the motivating factor for the parking fee."
"Wednesday night parking fees were implemented to increase turnover and mobility. Our documented studies showed that the parking spaces are over an 85 percent occupancy and more people are driving around looking for that elusive parking spot causing more congestion on our roads," Samp said in a statement to Spectrum News.
The downtown area is considered to be from Interstate 35 to Lamar Boulevard, and from Lady Bird Lake to 10th Street.
Parking is still free after 6 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday. Meters start at 11 a.m. on Saturdays.
Parking costs $1.20 an hour and Sunday is still free.
---
Join the Discussion: