Seattle to consider raising prices for parking near venues by more than double

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Headed to Seattle for a concert or a big game? You’ll likely have to pay more for parking soon — much more.

The city’s transportation department will ask the Seattle City Council Transportation Committee on Wednesday to increase the cost of on-street paid parking by more than double, up to a whopping $12 an hour near arenas and large venues holding 10,000 people or more during events.

The idea is to charge around the same as the private lots, encourage drivers to use mass transit to cut down on congestion, and ensure locals have adequate parking by their homes and businesses. The Seattle Department of Transportation says the 50 cents to $5 an hour that street spots currently cost simply isn’t enough to ensure that.

The most recent street parking rate changes in Seattle came on June 1, though many prices remain relatively low after being reduced early in the COVID-19 pandemic to encourage people to stay home.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/seattle-to-consider-raising-prices-for-parking-near-venues-by-more-than-double/ar-AALSkND

[RainCaster]

1. Seattle loves to punish motorists

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

2. Out of committee

A Seattle City Council committee voted unanimously Wednesday to approve a steep increase in the hourly rate paid for metered parking during large scale events.

The Transportation and Utilities Committee passed the legislation via a 5-0 vote, meaning the full council will now consider the proposal.

If council members endorse the idea during its next meeting, which is likely given that five members of the committee have already approved it, motorists looking for public parking could see the rate jump to as much as $12 per hour during events where 10,000 people are more are present. That would include things like games for the Seattle Kraken or the Seahawks.

City Councilman Alex Pedersen, the committee chairman, said the intent of the proposal is to help ease traffic in congested parts of the city during events that draw an influx of people for sporting or entertainment events.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/seattle-city-council-panel-oks-plan-to-hike-metered-parking-rate-to-as-high-as-12-an-hour/ar-AALTzxv