Public parking in Philadelphia is either free or available at reduced rates.  Select SEPTA fares are likewise reduced to stimulate business during Valentine Weekend through Presidents Day. "I encourage everyone to take advantage of the special offers from SEPTA and the Parking Authority and," stated Mayor Nutter, "come into the city to celebrate Valentine's Day with your loved ones."

Here is how the special Spread the Love program works.

Metered parking in legal zones on the street is free across the city through Tuesday, Feb. 16. Philadelphia Parking Authority Executive Director Vince Fenerty cautions, "[T]he PPA will continue to enforce parking prohibitions in restricted safety zones, including handicapped spaces, bus zones and in front of hydrants."

Several discount fees are also in play for select city parking garages and lots until Sunday, Feb. 21. The garages are the AutoPark at JFK and 16th Street, AutoPark at Independence Mall (5th & Market Streets), AutoPark at Ludlow (10th & Filbert), the garage at 8th and Filbert Streets, and the Old City garage at 2nd and Sansom Streets. PPA discount lots include the ones at 8th and Vine Streets, 19th and Callowhill, and 15th and Arch Streets.

As of yesterday until Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 5 p.m., parking in those places is free for the first four hours with a $3 per hour charge thereafter. The rate switches to a flat $5 per 12 hours from 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, Feb. 19. Next weekend the discount reverts back to four hours of free parking followed by $3 per hour.

SEPTA joins the discount program with Red Hot Sweetheart Deals on select regional rails as well as the Market Frankford and Broad Street lines.

Round trip tickets for regional rails at zone 1 or 2 stations are $6, zone 3 stations are $8, zone 4 or 5 stations are $9, and zone 6 stations are $15 through Sunday, Feb. 21. This applies on weekend trains to Center City Philadelphia and weekday evenings on inbound trains arriving in Center City after 5 p.m. Parking is free at all surface regional rail stations on those weekends.

A $1 cash fare each way is the offer on the Market Frankford and Broad Street lines this weekend through Monday, Feb. 15 and next weekend Saturday, Feb. 20 - Sunday, Feb. 21.

For more info: on Philadelphia Parking Authority's Spread the Love visit http://www.philapark.org/homeFlash.aspx. Visit http://www.septa.org for information on SEPTA's Red Hot Sweetheart Deals or call 215.580.7800 or TDD.TTY at 215.580.7853.