Harbour Station parking rates should cost more, Saint John mayor says

Commuters may soon be stuck with a hefty increase in their parking bills if they use the Harbour Station lot as Saint John Mayor Don Darling says those rates should double.

People parking at Harbour Station pay $65 a month, including taxes.

"By my quick calculations that's an additional $300,000in revenueor it could lower the city's subsidy of Harbour Station by $300,000," said Darling told the city's finance committee.

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"Therefore freeing up that money for us to reinvest in other areas to help us grow the city."

Harbour Station is operated by the Regional Facilities Commission, which has its own board composed of representatives from Saint John and surrounding communities.

It offers 500 parking spots close to the city's uptown.

Commission chair won't comment

The Regional Facilities Commission is chaired by Quispamsis Deputy MayorLibby O'Hara.

She said she does not wish to comment on the suggestion without consulting with the commission as a board and discussing the matter with Darling.

I leave money here every day, besides my parking.- Commuter Cathy Duplisea

But it's an idea that makes a lot of sense to Saint John Coun.Donna Reardon, who chairs Saint John's Transit and Parking Commission.

"We're sponsoring and subsidizing Harbour Station out of our budget," said Reardon.

"I feel like we're also subsidizing that parking."

Reardon said Harbour Station's parking and that of Market Square should all be overseen by the Saint John Parking Commission.

"I would like to see them at least have a dialogue," said Reardon.

'I wouldn't like it'

A sharp increase to her monthly parking bill is not something commuter Cathy Duplisea would be happy about.

"I wouldn't like it," said Duplisea.

"I buy lunches uptown, I spend money uptown, so I leave money here every day, besides my parking. So if the parking went up, then my spending in other areas in this city would go down."

Ken Shore, another Harbour Station monthly parker, said the more expensive city-operated parking lots are a lot closer to the uptown.

"For myself, paying $65and having to walk 15 minutes to work seems to be fair enough," said Shore.

Darling saidno specific conversation has taken place with Harbour Station so far.

"But that might be an opportunity," he said.