CARTA proposes increase in parking ticket fines

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Will the penalty for not paying for parking in downtown Chattanooga become more expensive?

If CARTA gets their wish, it will soon be the case.

CARTA is set to ask the city council to approve a rise in parking ticket fines across the city.

 A basic parking ticket would increase from $11 to $20.

This would drop to $16 if paid within 48 hours of receiving the ticket.

Next, If you parked in a spot that is not designated for parking, that would increase from $36 to $45.

Lastly, if you park in a disabled parking spot with a hanging tag, that fine would double from $50 to $100.

The question is, why is it now that CARTA wants to raise the fines for parking tickets?

CARTA’s CEO, Charles Frazier, explained that, “What we do see what happens here is people do sometimes take the ticket for 11 dollars because it’s less expensive than the hourly rate throughout the day so we want to disincentivize that and to further drive economic impact in these valuable spaces that are in front of merchants and restaurants.”

In last month’s financial report, CARTA received over $58,000 from parking fines. 

Revenues from parking came in at just over $200,000.

The agency’s total net revenue from parking services came in over $64,000, nearly the same amount as the enforcement.

Some residents wonder if the parking increase will hurt local business.

One resident, Patrice Sweet, said, “I don’t really feel very good about it. I think that parking is already so expensive. I’ve never lived in a place where parking has been so expensive, and I don’t think it is very welcoming. There are no free parking areas for people. The fact that parking tickets would go up, I don’t really see how that is going to solve the problem. If anything, it’s going to make people feel less welcome.”

Nick: If the Council approves these changes, they would go into effect either next Spring or Summer.