New York – DOT Commissioner Announces Planned Parking Meter Rate Hike

New York – New York City’s already complicated parking meter rates are about to become even more confusing according to a plan outlined today by Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg.

ABC News (https://7ny.tv/2IkxbgG) reported that Trottenberg made the announcement today while giving testimony before a City Council budget hearing.

The plan would further subdivide the city’s three parking zones into an even larger number, allowing for more flexibility that would greater match the area’s needs and, hopefully, ease traffic.

“The meters in heavily congested, transit rich Downtown Brooklyn are priced the same as those in less dense East New York,” said Trottenberg. “We think modest rate increases will promote turnover in commercial areas and have a positive effect on congestion as well.”

The new plan is scheduled to go into effect before the end of the year and, in most areas, would include what Trottenberg described as a “modest” increase for a second hour of parking, in order to encourage drivers to move their cars more quickly. Drivers parking south of 96th Street in Manhattan, however, would enjoy a discounted rate second hour rate.

Trottenberg defended the plan, saying that the rates charged at New York City’s 14,500 meters are relatively low when compared to other major cities, both in the United States and abroad.

Currently, drivers pay $3.50 an hour to park below 96th Street. Parking from 96th Street to 110th Street is $1.50 an hour, while drivers in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and those parking above 110th Street in Manhattan paying $1.00 per hour.