A $2 daily parking fee will go into effect on Aug. 28 at the El Monte Bus Station and the Gold Line’s Atlantic Station. The monthly permit pass at Atlantic Station will remain $29. Monthly permit passes at El Monte Station will be available later this year at $39.

Stations will have the automated pay systems that are in use at other Metro pay parking lots. Riders will need their license plate number, a valid TAP card and either cash or credit card to pay. Metro also has a smartphone parking app that can used to pay the fees. The app is now available in the iTunes store and the Google Play store (there is a 15 cent fee to use the app so parking is $3.15 a day).

Here’s how to park at the stations:

1 — Find a parking space.

2 — Pay with the app or find the nearest pay machine. You will need both your license plate number (tip: take a pic with your smartphone if you haven’t memorized your plate) and a valid TAP card. The app requires a credit card. The machines accept cash or credit cards. Note: new transit riders are given a one-day grace period to get a TAP card, which are available at TAP vending machines at both stations.

Why do you need your license plate number? Cameras take a picture and recognize the license plate on each vehicle as it enters the lot and the payment system uses the license plates to verify that payment was received. The cameras also make the system more convenient as there’s no need to return to your car to put a receipt on the dashboard.

A few other points:

• The $2 fee covers 24 hours of parking. You can park at either station for up to three days at $2 per day.

• Failure to pay will result in a $53 citation.

• Existing monthly permit holders will have their permits automatically converted to the new system.

• Those who want to sign up for the waiting list for a monthly permit can do so at LAMetroParking.net. The same site also offers carpool parking permits that allow patrons to split the cost of a monthly permit between two or three people.

• For those who need to pick up or drop off friends or family, there is a 15-minute grace period where you can enter and exit the lot without being charged.

• Specific to Atlantic Station: non-transit riders will be able to park there after 11 a.m. at the rate of $3 for 3 hours.

You can also check out this FAQ for more info.

The idea behind the program is not to make money, although it may generate a small profit. Rather, the fees are being used to manage demand and create more parking for those who actually use transit. Metro parking officials emphasize that they’ve found that a small daily fee along with the TAP card requirement opens up parking spaces — and helps prevent the need to build even more parking, which is a very expensive proposition.

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