From the Phoenix Business Journal:
Parking fees will be higher next year at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Under the plan approved by the Phoenix City Council, daily parking fees in the economy surface lots will rise from $5 to $8.
Parking in the economy garages will go up from $7 a day to $10.
And terminal garage rates will rise from $16 to $20.
The new fees take effect Jan. 9.
Airport officials had requested the parking increases, citing too many cars, and too few parking spaces. The idea is that the higher rates may encourage more people to take public transportation when traveling to the airport or to park at private parking lots, outside of the airport.
This is not completely bone-headed. In a free market, price is an indicator of relative demand, and as prices rise, prudent buyers seek alternatives.
Here’s the bone-headed part, though. In the short-term lots, the lots most in need of turnover, you will pay $1 per half-hour, an impressively high price. If you stay for 23.5 hours, you will pay $47. Ouch! But stay just a half-hour longer and the charge drops to $20.
Good thinking!
