Victoria's parking will remain free on Sundays and evenings.

Councillors heeded Mayor Dean Fortin's request yesterday and rescinded an earlier motion asking staff to revisit the idea of charging for parking on Sundays and evenings.

"I think part of what we've inadvertently done is signal that we're looking to introduce Sunday [pay] parking," Fortin said.

He noted the city's parking strategy, completed in 2007-2008, involved extensive consultation and ultimately rejected Sunday pay parking. "I think it's somewhat premature to be bringing it back and taking a look at it."

Coun. Charlayne Thornton-Joe, council's representative for downtown, was out of town when the original discussion came up. But she's since heard from several representatives of the business community and downtown churches who were opposed to the idea, and says extending pay-parking hours is not something she could support.

"Considering the economic uncertainty we have currently and the impact, both positive and negative, of the new Uptown development‚ these are concerns that the business community [has]," she said, adding evening pay parking would be particularly hard on restaurants.

Coun. Pam Madoff said many people felt extending pay parking was a cash grab by the city, although some reluctantly supported it to free up spots downtown Sundays. Those spots are often monopolized by residents and store employees parking on the street all day.

"What I've heard is Sunday is the most difficult day to come downtown if you're looking for on-street parking," she said.

Madoff suggested the Downtown Victoria Business Association remind its members that employees parking on the street can translate into lost customers.

The evening and Sunday parking issue came up as council dealt with a small parking-fee increase, necessitated by the looming HST. It was also suggested that council start a reserve fund to investigate non-vehicle options for transport.

Coun. John Luton, a cycling advocate, said the concept of an alternate-transportation fund merits support, noting completing the city's bicycle master plan -- with components such as safe bike routes, bike paths and lockup areas -- would take 45 years at current funding levels, while the pedestrian plan would take 75 years.

Set to go into effect this summer, the new 12 per cent HST combines the federal goods and services tax with the provincial sales tax.

Because of the tax, city parkade rates will rise by 25 cents for each $2 increment. The maximum daily rate will go to $13.50 from $12.

On-street-meter fees will also increase.

Thirty minutes will cost $1.25, up from $1. A one-hour spot will be $2.50 instead of $2.

In Vancouver, on-street parking is metered from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, including statutory holidays.