Parking fee rise will free up spaces, council says

An increase in parking fees in parts of central Auckland is intended to free up more short-term parking for shoppers and visitors to the CBD, the city's council says.

Starting today, on-street parking fees across Auckland's eastern CBD have been levelled with the tariff in the central CBD.

The cost of parking in the outer areas of the CBD will increase from $3 to $4 per hour, though the maximum time for parking has not changed.

The council claims this will increased the turnover of parking spaces.

"Increasing the hourly charge will bring the outer area in line with the busy heart of the CBD," said Councillor Richard Simpson, chairman of the council's transport and urban linkages committee.

"If people need to park for longer periods, we encourage them to use the Auckland City parking buildings which offer competitive off-street parking rates.

"On-street parking is designed and managed to provide short-term parking."



It will cost $4 an hour to park in the area bounded by Hobson, Quay and Symonds streets and Karangahape Road.

The change was agreed by the council's Combined Committees in March and confirmed in June this year.

- HERALD ONLINE STAFF