Waco airport considers enforcement measures after losing $100,000 in parking fees
Officials say 40% of travelers skipped payment since October launch of new parking policy
WACO, Texas (KWTX) - Waco Regional Airport is considering enforcement measures including gate arms, ticketing and towing after losing about $100,000 in parking fees since implementing paid parking in October.
Airport officials said 40% of travelers skipped paying the nearly $5 daily parking fee and boarded their flights without using the required ParkMobile app.
Airport Manager James Harris said only 60% of people paid for parking, bringing in about $24,000 in the first month. If everyone had paid, the airport would have collected about $125,000, he said.
Mixed reactions from travelers
Frequent flyer, Christie Morris said the new parking fees are making her reconsider using Waco Regional Airport over Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
“Well, it’s smaller, it’s closer to home, parking was for free,” Morris said about why she previously chose the local airport.
Morris said she now must reevaluate her airport choice from a cost standpoint.
“I think of the money I’m saving not parking at DFW. I can put into my ticket and fly out of here, again, just because they’re a little higher. Now, it’s going to be kind of a reevaluate from a cost standpoint because I do have a budget I have to live with,” Morris said.
Enforcement measures under consideration
Harris said he is working with the city attorney’s office on enforcement options including gate arms, ticketing and towing.
“We want to make sure that we’re being fair to everyone and do it in a way where it’s right. I don’t want to add undo harm to people but there is a policy now for paid parking,” Harris said.
Harris said he was not surprised by the low compliance rate because the parking fee program is new and has received mixed reviews.
“You’re going to get some who just absolutely refuse to pay for parking because they never paid for parking. You’ll get people who’ll go, ‘Ok, well I understand why I have to pay.’ It’s building blocks,” Harris said.
Airport officials said they will roll out any new enforcement measures slowly once they are finalized.
In the meantime, the airport will place reminder notices on cars when guests do not pay the parking fee.
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