Expect to shell out more to park downtown.

The Calgary Parking Authority has upped its rates as of Feb. 1.

Most surface lots and parkades are going up per hour by $0.50, some $1 and one $2.  The authority maintains it is still 15 per cent cheaper than other downtown lots.

The reasoning behind the increase is to offset maintenance costs.  

In an effort to attract short term parking, the authority will charge $0.75 less for the first hour of street parking.

The rates haven’t been changed since 2009.