by KYW's Mike Dunn
  
Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter, speaking Wednesday morning on KYW Newsradio's "Ask the Mayor" segment, strongly indicated that a increase in parking meter rates is likely.

Mayor Nutter's transportation czar, Rina Cutler, has floated the idea boosting the cost of parking at a meter in Center City and University City -- above the current 25 cents per 15 minutes -- in order ease congestion.
   
The mayor told KYW Newsradio listeners that he agrees:

"People circling around, trying to look for that precious parking space: it creates a crazy situation, primarily in Center City but also in commercial corridors as well.  So I think the rates are too low.  But we're going to do an appropriate study about it and do it right."
 
Cutler's formal recommendations are likely to be sent to the mayor in the fall.  Any increase would need City Council approval.