Inside Tucson Business

Tucson International Airport’s parking lots are getting new signage, new terminology and automated pay stations over the next few months. And to introduce it all, the airport is offering reduced parking rates at some lots.

As part of a $2.4 million project, being funded from airport revenues, the airport is installing an automated parking management system.

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Starting in October, customers of the parking garage can be the first to use automated Easy Pay stations being built near the garage’s elevators. Other Easy Pay stations will be installed by Thanksgiving outside the terminal’s baggage claim areas.

The airport says it will continue to have gate attendants at the parking exits for those who don’t want to go the automated route.

The automated system will also be tied into new signage that will alert arriving motorists which parking lots may already be full.

As part of the signage change, the airport will adopt the same parking lot terminology most other airports use:

• The least expensive remote parking lots, where customers are shuttled to the terminal, will be called economy parking instead of Park ‘N Save

• The closer-in lot that costs more to park per day but is within walking distance to the terminal will be called daily parking instead of long-term parking.

• The closest and most expensive parking lot will be called hourly parking instead of short-term parking.

• The free parking lot where people can wait for arriving passengers to call before driving up to the terminal, will now be called the cell phone waiting lot instead of Phone and Go.

To introduce the changes, the airport is offering reduced rates at its owned parking lots for an indefinite period of time starting Oct. 1. Economy parking will be reduced to $3 per day, covered economy parking will be $5 per day and the parking garage next to the terminal will drop to $9 per day.

FastPark finishes upgrades

Also at the airport, privately-owned FastPark announced last week it has finished upgrades to its lot at 6970 S. Tucson Blvd. to include 905 covered parking spaces, brighter lighting and new landscaping.

Cincinnati-based FastPark took over the lot earlier this year and is targeting frequent business travelers with its Relax for Rewards program in which customers register to earn points toward free parking and other benefits. Register for the reward program online at www.fastparkandrelax.com.

The lot, which is marked by green, black and white signage, charges a regular rate of $4 per day, including tax.