Parking fees increasing on Tybee Island

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (WTOC) - Parking fees are increasing on Tybee Island.

The city announced that the increase will go into effect on March 1.

Hourly parking will now cost $4 an hour - a $0.50 increase - and the annual pass will cost you $250.

Several people on the island said the new price is “a bit steep.”

“$0.50 doesn’t sound like a lot, but $4 an hour for parking is ridiculous,” Savannah resident Robin Hudson said.

“$3.50 was a bit much especially if you’re just coming down here for a few hours to enjoy some things and it jumped to $4 is kind of crazy,” visitor John Howard said.

“I was just surprised, but when I thought about it, I understand,” visitor Linda Stokes said.

City officials said parking is one of Tybee Island’s biggest year-round money makers. This isn’t the first time the city has raised the parking fee. Just last year, it went up to $3.50.

“Will I pay it? Probably because I love Tybee, but I’m not going to like it,” Hudson said.

No matter if you pay at a kiosk, a meter or on the app, it will cost $4 an hour.

The city has declined an interview but did release this statement: “Due to unprecedented growth in Tybee Island as a tourist destination, the city’s costs are outpacing revenues. The new parking rates will help offset these costs and maintain Tybee Island to the high level our residents and visitors expect.”

The city tracks how many visits and visitors the island gets each year. In 2017, they had just over two million visitors. In 2021, they had over three million.

A visitor to the island, Linda Stokes is the only person WTOC spoke with Monday who says she doesn’t think $4 is too much.

“I think it’s probably needed. I was just surprised, but when I thought about it, I understand,” Stokes said.

The city says they use the money for things like city projects and maintenance. Everyone says they understand this, but it doesn’t mean they’re happy now that parking has to be factored into their vacation budget.

“I think it’s a little much because everywhere you go you have to pay. I think $2 would be sufficient,” visitor Tawana Murphy said.

“That takes money away from spending it at local restaurants, local shops, small businesses it takes money away from that. I mean, we all come down here with a certain amount of money, right,” Stacie Howard said.

WTOC has submitted a request for documents from the city to see how much they make per year on parking.

For more information from parking services, please click here.

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