Answer :
To identify why the cost of using parking meters increased, several factors may come into play:
1. **Inflation**: The general increase in prices of goods and services over time due to inflation could have contributed to the rise in parking meter costs.
2. **Maintenance and Upkeep**: If the parking meters required maintenance or upgrades to improve efficiency or security features, the costs associated with these updates might have led to an increase in fees.
3. **Demand for Parking Spaces**: Higher demand for parking spaces in certain areas could have driven up the prices of using parking meters as a way to manage parking availability and reduce congestion.
4. **Government Policies**: Changes in local or municipal regulations, taxes, or fees related to parking could also influence the cost of using parking meters.
5. **Technological Advances**: Introducing new technologies like smart meters or payment systems could lead to a cost increase as these systems may be more expensive to install and operate.
By considering these factors, you can better understand why the cost of using parking meters may have increased.