A night out in downtown San Jose could soon cost drivers more. The city is considering a proposal that would extend parking meter hours and increase parking rates as officials look to capitalize on increased nightlife activity downtown. Under the proposal, metered parking would be enforced unt il 9 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. The hourly rate would also double from $2 to $4. City officials say about 1,600 parking meters would be affected. Some meters, including those in Japantown and east of City Hall, would be exempt from the changes. The proposed $4 hourly rate would match the cost of parking in several city-owned garages. San Jose’s smart meters allow drivers to pay by tapping a card or paying through a mobile app, eliminating the need to carry coins or cash. The city estimates extending meter hours and increasing rates could generate about $1.2 million in additional annual revenue. ...read more read less