Erlanger Health System officials announced that parking rates in the hospital's downtown parking garage will increase from $1 to $2 starting Jan. 1, 2019.

Rob Brooks, Erlanger's chief operating officer, said in a news release that the increase will help offset rising costs of maintaining the parking garage, multiple valet services, labor, parking lots and shuttles at Erlanger.

"This increase is also needed to cover expenses for building additional lots at our downtown campus," said Brooks, noting that "Erlanger's expansive growth has led to the need for more lots."

Those with handicap tags will continue to park free in Erlanger's garage, and free parking is still available to patients and visitors using the hospital's valet services at the main entrance, outside the emergency rooms, the West Wing Surgical Services entrance and the new Children's Hospital Outpatient Center.

Hospital volunteers will also continue to be able to park free, as well as members of the clergy who are visiting patients and students with Erlanger badges doing clinical rotations at the hospital.

Patients and visitors who park in Erlanger's garage without leaving will pay $2, regardless of the number of hours or days they stay in the hospital. There are approximately 1,000 parking spaces on the ground, first and second levels of the Erlanger parking garage reserved for patients and visitors.