THE coin jar is about to become a little lighter, with parking fees in Cairns CBD increasing from today.

And for those who incur a fine, you'll now pay double what the rate was in 2012.

The cost of parking in the city has increased from $1 to $1.20 an hour and those who get caught with an expired meter will cop a $40 fine instead of $20.

CBD retail assistant Willow Deagon believes the fine increase was too steep.

The Westcourt resident said: "$40 for a parking fine is ridiculous.

"I know people who work at our shop who have to drive around for 20 minutes to find a park."

Rush Surf shop manager Sandra Mindel parks four blocks away from the Shields St store and then walks to work each day.

"It will make it hard for businesses competing with the shopping centre," she said.

"We find more of the locals come in on weekends to avoid the parking meters."

Another Cairns commuter, James Power, said the price increase was reasonable.

"I come to the city pretty much every day," he said. "(The price) is fair enough. You are better off putting money in the meter."

He said Cairns prices were cheaper than other cities, comparing the new $40 infringement with $60 parking fines in parts of Victoria.

Cairns Regional Council has also increased costs for commuters using the Lake St Parking Station near City Place.

A permanent undercover parking bay now costs $112 a month, up from $108, and a reserved bay is priced at $140 a month after increasing by about $7.

The city-wide price jump is expected to bring $250,000 worth of extra revenue to council coffers within the next six months.

The doubled parking fines may raise another $250,000 before the end of the financial year. The council makes about $1 million each year in parking fees and fines.

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