Parking at a meter in downtown El Paso will be free of charge on Saturdays starting Sept. 1 - Aug. 31, 2013. 

The City’s International Bridges Department, which manages the parking meter division, is offering free parking at all parking meters in the downtown area every Saturday in an effort to increase retail and cultural activities in the heart of the city. 

“Free parking on Saturdays is another component of the city of El Paso’s efforts to revitalize downtown. Not charging to park at a parking meter should help spur retail and cultural activities,” International Bridges Director Said Larbi-Cherif said.

Parking meters operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. The parking fee at a meter cost 25 cents for every 20 minutes. 

Free parking is also available on Sundays, city-recognized holidays (New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Fourth of July, Memorial Day,  Labor Day,  Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day) and for special events approved by City Council.