Parking Spaces in NYC Will be More Expensive Next Year

New York City officials say parking meter rates will go up citywide by the end of 2018 under a new plan.

Under Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg’s plan, there would be modest rate increases that would kick in during a second hour of parking. She hopes the move would encourage greater turnover in congested parking districts.

The price in Manhattan right now is $3.50 an hour below 96th Street. Between 96th and 110th, it’s $1.50 an hour, but could be raised as high as $6.50 an hour, like in Chicago. Everywhere else above 110th and in the other four boroughs it currently costs $1 an hour to park at a metered spot.

The city also wants to add more parking zones to charge higher rates in certain parts of the outer boroughs, with Trottenberg noting that meters in heavily congested areas cost the same as less congested areas.

Parking meter rates last increased in 2013. DOT officials say there are currently about 85,000 metered spots throughout the city.

Most drivers who spoke to CBS News were against any rate increase.

“It feels like you’re getting punished for driving a car and getting gouged every step of the way,” said Valerie Wright of Park Slope.