The days of free-meter-parking in Downtown Austin, may soon come to an end.
Currently 3,000 city controlled parking meters become free parking spots after 5:30 p.m. and on the weekend. But the city's transportation director, Robert Spillar, told city council last week, it might be time to cut back on free parking.
Spillar said the plan would "generate a better system."
Each meter downtown has a two-hour time limit. After 5:30 p.m. and on the weekends that time limit isn't enforced.
"The purpose is to open up more parking by getting turnover," Spillar said. "Keeping people from parking all day and parking past the time when they should be moving on."
While city staff reviews the specifics, the number one proposal, if implemented, would extend pay hours until 8:30 p.m. and extend fare days to Saturday.
"I just don't think it's right," downtown shopper Marc Weiss said. "I think we should be entitled to free parking in the evening and on weekends."
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Free Parking, No More?
News 8's Reagan Hackleman explains why the city is thinking about extending the hours of downtown meter spots.
 
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Downtown workers expressed similar sentiments.
"I hate it," downtown worker Katya Diaz said. "It would be $4.50 a day just to go to work. That's just a lot of money to pay. It's going to add up."
Thomas Greene, who also works downtown, agreed.
"It would be big pain in the butt," he said.
But, time has yet to expire for free parking, and if it does, it probably won't be until next year.
