McCarran to hike parking rates

Monday, March 26, 2001 | 9:57 a.m.

Parking at McCarran International Airport will take a few more quarters or dollars out of your pocket beginning next month.

Hilarie Grey, airport spokeswoman, said the last time parking rates went up was in 1998. She said even with the increases, parking will be cheaper at the Las Vegas airport than at most large airports nationwide.

One reason for the rate increase is that short-term users of the airport are parking in long-term lots because the price is low, she said, inconveniencing bona fide long-term parkers. The long-term rates are rising from a daily maximum of $8 to $10.

Short-term parking meters closer to the airport terminal are going from $1 to $1.50 per hour. Valet parking is rising from $11 to $14 per day, and remote lot charges will go from $6 to $8.

The new rates take effect April 3.

Grey said the added revenue will go toward facility maintenance and future development. Parking brings in about $15 million a year, less than 20 percent of the airport's $270 million annual revenue, she said.

Before the 1998 rate increase, Grey said, the previous hike was 16 years prior.

"You could say that this is only the second increase in 20 years," she said.

The rates will not affect the commercial taxi and limousine service at the airport, Grey said.