Picking up someone at the airport may be a bit easier and less expensive this holiday season as San Francisco International Airport on Monday announced a free short-term parking option.
The pilot program makes short-term parking garages free for stays of 30 minutes or less, with the hope it will help reduce roadway congestion at the airport during the busy holiday season, officials said.
The option runs from Dec. 12 through Jan. 8 and is available in the domestic parking garage and both international parking garages A and G. The domestic garage also will have an express drop-off and pickup level on the fifth floor, allowing drivers and travelers an easy way to avoid congestion, airport officials said.
Any vehicles that enter and exit the hourly garages within a 30-minute window will not be charged, airport officials said. Vehicles parked in the garages for longer than 30 minutes will be charged for the full duration of their stay.
This option is available to private vehicles, limousines, and ride-hailing companies like Lyft and Uber. Taxis may also use the feature for drop-offs only, airport officials said.
After Jan. 8, the garages will revert to the pre-existing 10-minute grace period to enter and exit without charge.
The 30-minute pilot program will be evaluated for potential future use during other peak travel periods, officials said.
