PARKING

On Jan. 1, 2023, The Texas Medical Center, which serves 10 million patients a year and has over 100,000 medical workers, suddenly raised its parking fee from $15 to $19 for people parking 10 hours or more a day. This is a huge expensive for many families in our area. We also have solutions if you need help paying for parking.

Reports of fake parking tickets are on the rise as consumers were reportedly scammed by tickets that looked surprisingly real.

The city of Houston released its parking app five years ago to make it easier for drivers to find a spot and pay for parking. But when you pay and still get a citation, one man said the city makes it tough for drivers to plead their case. KPRC 2 Investigates has advice on what you can do if it happens to you.

If you like to visit bars and restaurants around the Washington Corridor, Montrose, and the River Oaks area, you will now need a valid permit for on-street parking during certain hours of the day.

The next time you visit the Strand in Galveston, you may be paying a bit more for parking. That is, if City Council approves.

If you spend any time in Midtown, you know parking can be a real problem. But that could all be changing very soon.

“We’ve been doing it wrong the whole time,” says a user on TikTok who posted a video saying it has revealed how to properly park.

It’s a problem truckers face every day-- finding a parking spot. Here is what’s being done to fix the problem, and how to keep them off the side of the road.

HOUSTON – Houston City Council has passed an ordinance Thursday that prohibits vehicles to park in dedicated bicycle lanes. Mayor Sylvester Turner, who listened to bicyclists, said in a statement the city is taking a step further to protect the designated bike lanes for Houstonians to enjoy. “The ordinance is an opportunity to promote safety and educate those who park in dedicated bicycle lanes without realizing how it impedes access," Mayor Turner said in a statement. A flyer will be distributed to vehicles parking on the bike lanes during a 90-day warning period, however no word on when the 90-day period will start. The ordinance is also a commitment by the city of Houston to become a bike-friendly city by the year 2027, according to the release.

As part of our new Ask 2 series, the newsroom will answer your questions about all things Houston. Question: I parked my vehicle in a non-city owned parking lot and it’s been booted? Answer: If you paid to park in the lot and can provide a copy of your receipt, the lot owner must release your vehicle, but an administrative fee may be charged. If you cannot provide proof of payment for the parking, you may be charged up to $100 plus the parking fees to remove the boot. If you feel you were unfairly booted, you may request a boot hearing in the Harris County Justice of the Peace Court.

GALVESTON, Texas The City of Galveston recently announced new parking changes for Galvestons Seawall, city officials announced in a release. City officials redistributed 220 free parking spaces in four sections on the north side of the Seawall, between 12th and 19th streets, 33rd and 39th streets, 53rd and 61st streets, and 85th to the 9100 block of Seawall Blvd. "This change in free parking on the Seawall is part of those efforts.Previously, parking was available between 69th and 81st streets. The redistribution of parking spaces is part of Galvestons ongoing Beach Access Plan compliance project, providing wider access to all public beaches on the Island, Galveston city officials said. All other parking spaces along the Seawall are paid, and costs $1 per hour between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

HOUSTON – Parking has become an unexpected financial burden for workers at the Texas Medical Center. KPRC 2 Investigates received several emails from medical personnel upset over having to pay to park in the TMC garages. But, parking serves as the primary revenue generator for the medical complex, the Chief Investment and Planning Officer Tatianna Yale said. "It has been a little hard for us, having to pay parking driving down here because you don't want to take the METRO," she said. Rice University and Methodist collaborated to open up a new free lot Thursday morning in the football stadium's parking lot.

HOUSTON – A man is accused of portraying as a parking lot attendant and up charging drivers in downtown Houston. When she heads downtown to dine at her favorite restaurant, Gillespie said she typically parks at the paid parking lot on 1118 Crawford Street. Once inside the restaurant, she said she checked with the staff about the parking price increase. She said she left the restaurant immediately, flagged down a patrolling officer, who found the man in the parking lot. Gillespie said she is glad she took quick action to find the man pretending to be a parking lot attendant.