DeLAND, Fla. – The cost to drive on the beach in Volusia County will soon be twice as expensive.
The Volusia County Council voted 6-0 Thursday to increase the price of daily beach passes from $10 to $20. The price change takes effect Jan. 1.
"It's kind of crazy that it's being raised that high.It's only been three years, or less than three years, it was $5," said Kenny Corcoran, of New Smyrna Beach. "From top to bottom, it might trickle down to where people don't come. Tourists want to go elsewhere."
The change will mostly impact out-of-towners, since the price for local annual passes will remain at $25.
"That's a little steep. I think it's kind of high to spend $10 to come down to the beach anyway, so yeah, $20 would be tough," said Cathy Timm, who's visiting Central Florida from Denver. "I might search out other beaches and look for other places to go."
Officials said the funds will be used to open new access ramps and to hire more beach toll workers.
From 1993 to 2015, it cost $5 per car to drive on the beach. In January 2015, the price doubled to $10 per vehicle.
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