The City of Perth recently made the decision to extend the free parking initiative after 6pm until April 2025. This initiative was originally introduced in February 2022 for a limited time, but due to its success, councillors agreed to continue it for another year. The city will conduct a comprehensive review of the parking perk to determine if it should be extended beyond April 2025. This decision was made just before the launch of the city’s new campaign.
The daytime parking rates in the city are set to increase to align with the user fee charged by the EasyPark app, operated by the EasyPark Group. This increase is intended to encourage visitors to use the app, which offers cashless and ticketless transactions. The city recently upgraded its parking infrastructure to accommodate this technology. The rate hike is expected to generate an additional $700,000 in revenue this financial year and $4.3 million in the next fiscal year, assuming that half of all visitors use the app.
The decision to increase parking rates comes as the city faces rising operational costs, including a $4.1 million hike in operations costs. To offset these costs, the city has implemented various parking perks, such as three hours of free parking on weekends and public holidays at selected city-owned facilities. However, these perks have cost the city $4.2 million, prompting the need for additional revenue streams. The last time the city increased its parking fees was in late 2022, with hourly rates going up by 50 cents and day rates increasing by $1 – the first change since 2018.
The city’s decision to extend the free parking initiative comes amid a broader review of parking policies and revenue streams. While the free parking after 6pm has been a popular and successful program, city officials recognize that it cannot last indefinitely. By conducting a comprehensive review of the initiative, the city will be able to assess its impact and determine whether it should be extended further. The decision to increase daytime parking rates is part of the city’s efforts to generate additional revenue and cover rising operational costs.
Overall, the City of Perth’s parking policies are evolving to align with modern technology and infrastructure. As the city looks to increase revenue and cover operational costs, it must balance the need for revenue streams with providing cost-effective and convenient parking options for visitors. The extension of the free parking initiative, coupled with the rate hike for daytime parking, reflects the city’s commitment to finding a sustainable and efficient way to manage its parking infrastructure. By continuously reviewing and updating its parking policies, the city aims to create a balanced and user-friendly parking system for residents and visitors alike.
