Airport parking increases receive council's approval

Travelers will pay more to park at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport but they won't have to dig for change.

City Council approved without discussion increases to the airport's parking fees and to the amount of time visitors may park for free.

Short- and long-term parking is now free for 30 minutes, up from 15, to encourage more drivers to park in lots instead of in front of the terminal to pick up passengers. But almost all parking rates increase under the new program after those first 30 minutes.

It was the first adjustment to rates since 2001, city manager Lee Ann Dumbauld said.

Council also approved spending $3.9 million in federal economic recovery money on three new hybrid electric buses, 10 shelters at bus stops, and paving and construction work at the Citibus parking yard.

The city had already agreed to buy three hybrid buses.

Lubbock will receive the buses in December. Site studies will determine where workers will erect the 10 bus shelters.

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