Downtown Madison drivers may have to pay up to 50 cents more per hour when using public parking facilities if the Transit and Parking Commission approves an increase in the cost of meters and garages Tuesday.

Parking spots in high demand will suffer the largest price increases, while areas with lower demand will not be drastically affected.

The State Street Campus Ramp will increase from $1.10 an hour to $1.30, similar to the price increase in 2006. State Street-area meters will increase from $1 to $1.25, while the State Street Capitol Ramp will increase from 85 cents to $1.

However, the Overture Center Ramp will remain at 70 cents.

Weekly and monthly rates at the various downtown parking ramps will go up by as much as 20 percent but will not change at the Overture Center Ramp.

Additionally, lost tickets in parking ramps will result in a $20 fee over the current $10, and all 10-hour meters will go up from 50 to 75 cents.

These changes coupled with others will result in an estimated increase in revenue of $11.4 million.

Through the current proposal, the parking division’s budget will increase approximately $1.2 million to improve current parking facilities in Madison, said Carl Durocher, chair of the Transit and Parking Commission.

Bill Knobeloch, parking operations manager and member of the parking division staff, said the increase in parking prices was initiated in 2006 and was designed to increase every three years.

“We are totally self-supported, so all our money comes from parkers or customers,” Knobeloch said.

Knobeloch said he believes escalation in prices every three years will not dramatically affect citizens.

The parking utility staff may also initiate a parking fee on the weekends, Durocher said.

He said toll-free evenings on the weekdays may also be shortened to increase parking utility revenue.

To convenience parkers, parking utility staff proposes to install parking meters which allow drivers to pay with credit cards, Knobeloch said. He said “having a buck and a half in your pocket in quarters is hard.”

Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said the Madison Parking Utility receives no taxpayer money though parking establishments are controlled by the city government.

The parking utility receives its money solely from the tolls collected in parking meters and in parking ramps, Verveer said.

Additionally Verveer said he had mixed emotions about the increase in parking fees but does not think there are other alternatives.

“The parking staff believes we need to raise certain amount of money to keep up with inflation,” Verveer said.

Durocher said because of the nation’s current economic standing, driving a car becomes more expensive than using public transportation.

He said through the proposal, parking utility is striving to keep a balance between public and private transportation.

Durocher said he realizes there may be a decrease in public parking at first, adding only public transportation will be affected by the increase in parking rates.

There will be a public hearing concerning the proposal at the City Council meeting March 10.

If passed, the changes should be completely in effect by June 31, Knobeloch said.

Heather Burian contributed to this report.