By Steve Huettel, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Starting Friday, you'll get an hour free parking at Tampa International Airport's short- and long-term garages only if you leave before your hour is up.
The previous policy gave drivers the first hour free no matter how long they parked. Beginning Friday, they will be charged for their entire time in the garages if they park longer than an hour.
The airport's governing board rejected a staff recommendation in August to eliminate the first-hour-free policy, a move that would have raised $2.2 million in revenue during a tight budget year. But board members were surprised to find out the airport was giving away the free hour to everyone who parked in the two garages and voted to change it.
Parking up to 60 minutes will still be free. But drivers will pay $4 to park from 61 minutes to 80 minutes and an additional $1 for each 20 minutes after that until they hit the daily maximum fee: $15 for long-term and $20 for short-term.
Steve Huettel can be reached at huettel@sptimes.com or (727)893-8128.