Portland, Maine, Raises Meter Rates But Keeps Free Sunday Parking

The City of Portland, Maine, faced a decision this week on whether public comment was enough to sway the need to bring in more money to the city coffers.

The city chose to listen to the people. At least to some degree.

According to Maine Public, the budget was passed by Portland city leaders that will make some substantial changes to metered spots throughout the city but will leave the ultra valuable free Sunday parking alone.

Portland, Maine, Extends Meter Hours and Raises Prices Citywide

According to the Portland Press Herald, an initial budget proposal called for adding parking meter hours and eliminate free parking on Sundays seemed destined to pass through the city council.

Something changed over the last couple of weeks and the budget proposal was altered.

Portland, Maine, is set to increase hourly rates on parking meters to $2.50 per hour for most areas in the city and $3.00 per hour in the Old Port. That will put Portland at almost the same average hourly rate for parking meters as Boston, Massachusetts.

Additionally, meter hours will be extended Monday through Saturday by one hour. Rather than metered hours stopping at 6pm, they will now extend until 7pm.

This will be the fifth time in the last decade plus Portland has raised parking meter rates.

Sunday Parking in Portland, Maine, Will Remain Free For Now

The City Council in Portland, Maine, did listen to comments and chose to keep Sunday parking free. At least, for now.

The city chose to cut eliminate more than 70 positions, most of which were vacant.

However, there continues to be concerning quotes coming from city councilors suggesting a disconnect between how the city operates on a day-to-day basis in reality versus how councilors dream it would operate.

Councilor Kate Sykes said to Maine Public: