On the heels of several TTC commuter lots closing, the transit commission is set to usher in new parking fees at most of its remaining lots.

Along with a 10 cent fare increase in the new year, those who drive to TTC parking lots are going to shell out between $1 and $2 more for parking.

A TTC board meeting scheduled for Tuesday is expected to rubber stamp the increases, which are expected to bring in almost $1.5-million of additional non-fare revenue in 2017.

Despite losing several parking lots to redevelopment after they were declared surplus in 2009, the TTC notes “commuter parking has never been more popular in the history of TTC.”

The report notes that while demand for TTC parking has increased, rates have remained stagnant. The last rate increase at some lots was back in 2013 while most lots have not seen a rate increase since 2001.

“Although the majority of these lots are highly utilized, some rates are below market value,” the report says. “This report recommends strategically increasing parking rates at select TTC commuter lots to maximize non-fare parking revenue.”

Seven years ago, the TTC discontinued free parking for Metropass users and the subsequent price hike, between $4 and $5 for everyone, caused a sharp drop in commuter parking. But in subsequent years, the report notes parking has gradually rebounded and average utilization across all lots is now 91 per cent.

In light of that fact, the TTC notes the recommended rate changes are not expected to “drive ridership away.”

A proposal to introduce paid weekend parking at selected lots was also considered, However, the report says while that would increase overall parking revenue, “free weekend parking has been a boon for weekend ridership levels and even a slight price increase may cause these levels to drop significantly.”