Austin drivers wishing to park downtown on Wednesday nights will have to start paying soon.
The city's new parking hours, which extend metered parking on the street from 6 p.m. to midnight on Wednesdays, are effective Aug. 1.
The new metered parking schedule is as follows:
- Mon.-Tue.: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Wed.-Fri: 8 a.m.-midnight
- Sat.: 11 a.m.-midnight
Street parking is free outside of these hours.
The city of Austin's transportation department said the new hours would encourage on-street parking turnover—which benefits shop and restaurant owners—and combat traffic congestion.
The department encourages drivers to download the city of Austin's pay-by-phone app
ParkX. A list of metered parking areas can be found
here.