A Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County parking garage opened for business Feb. 13 at I-10 and the Grand Parkway in Katy, offering covered parking and bus access.

NewQuest Properties, the project owner and developer, paid about $20.5 million for the garage, which has 1,700 spaces, according to Monica Russo of the METRO press office.

A steady stream of METRO riders used the facility on its opening day. Full-fare cardholders were deducted $2 to enter the garage and $2.50 to board the bus. Discounted fare card rates continue to apply, officials said.

Fares for the Grand Parkway Park & Ride are not changing; the fare will simply be deducted incrementally, Russo said in a press release.

She also said with the Feb. 13 opening of METRO Grand Parkway Park & Ride, METRO Park & Ride customers will not be allowed to park in the Cinemark parking lot.

The Grand Parkway location has long been plagued with overcrowding issues, and the opportunity to lease the garage was a welcome opportunity, Russo said.