Ocean City raises parking rates

OCEAN CITY, Md. – People coming into Ocean City this summer will now have to pay more for parking.

According to town officials, there will be a rate hike of 50 cents per hour in most areas during the peak of the summer season.

They say the new revenue will help to offset growing budget demands and help improve maintenance at the beach and boardwalk.

Some locals tell 47ABC even though an increase in parking rates is not ideal they believe many tourists will continue to visit the town.

“I don’t think it will affect tourists and I think they’ll come no matter what,” said Amy Groves, a hair stylist at He We R.

“So, the increase I think we won’t have a problem,” said Groves.

The hourly rate at the Inlet lot on weekends in the shoulder months would be $3, while the hourly rate would go to $3.50 per hour in June, July, August and September.