New York City boasts the top two most expensive parking areas in the country (Midtown and the Financial District), so why shouldn't our cash-strapped city get as big a cut of that parking green as possible, right? Which is to say, despite protesting pols, starting today the DOT is raising the hourly and daily parking rates at MuniMeters in Queens, Staten Island and Manhattan north of 96th Street. Meanwhile, of course, the meters below 96th Street will continue to cost three times as much—the better to clear up Midtown?
Starting today the new hourly fee for short term parking is $1 (or $.25 for 15 minutes) while the daily rate at all-day metered spaces will now be $8. Below 96th Street the hourly rates was already $3. The new prices move to the Bronx starting July 25 and finally hit Brooklyn starting August 9. At least bike parking on the street is still free. Still, it seems about time we got ourselves some parking placards.
