Santana Row ends free parking

Well, it finally happened. I think the writing was on the wall as soon as Valley Fair started charging for parking. After 20 years, Santana Row will start charging for parking. The first two hours will still remain free, but each additional hour will cost $2 with a daily cap of $10. Workers can park for $20 each month or $2 per day.

This is not just a money grab. Valley Fair employees and patrons started parking at Santana Row and walking across the street. The silver lining is that it will likely be much easier to find a parking space, especially during weekends and holidays where it can take a significant amount of time to find a spot. Paid parking tend to improve security as well in garages.

The parking system will be ticketless. Instead it will track license places and calculate time spent at the Row. It has been implemented in one garage so far, but the rest will soon follow. 

Source: San Jose Spotlight