Paid Parking & Fare Free Transit

October 5, 2021

Council approved the implementation of a paid parking program for the Town Centre in 2022. Administration is looking to make changes to the program described below based on learnings from paid parking at Quarry Lake and in the Town of Banff. Administration will develop a Public Participation Plan to be rolled out in Q4 2021, that will assist in ensuring the final paid parking plan aligns with both community feedback and parking management goals.

Paid parking in the Town Centre has been delayed until 2022 due to COVID-19.

Council has approved the implementation of paid parking, as well as fare-free transit in perpetuity. Both of these strategies are in alignment with the pdf Integrated Parking Management Plan (2.24 MB)

Parking Regulation and Pricing

Details

4-hour and 24-hour limits in most locations between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m
All-day parking in designated areas between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. by payment or purchased pass
Zones for free short-term parking
Peak season pricing (May - September) prices can be found in the map below
Off season pricing (October - April) prices can be found in the map below
Residential pass program for residential development outside the Town Centre where time restrictions are applied
Local Roam transit will continue to operate fare-free. Revenues from paid parking will be used to fund fare free transit

Peak Season Pricing Map

Peak season is May 1 to September 30
Pricing will be in effect between 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Prices will be between $1/hour - $2/hour
Monthly passes will be $60/month

Off Season Pricing Map

Low season is October 1 - April 30
Pricing will be in effect between 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Prices will be between $1/hour - $2/hour
The 4-hour and 24-hour time restrictions will remain in place

Residential Parking Permit Program

To address spillover impacts, a Residential Parking Permit system be in place for residential parking areas directly abutting the Town Centre in advance of paid parking initiation. On those blocks, public parking will be permitted, however will also be time restricted and priced in the same way as Town Centre streets to discourage spillover.

Each household in these areas be able to obtain a residential parking permit for up to two vehicles registered to the property free of charge, with additional permits available at a cost of $100 for a two-year permit. Permits allow residents to park in the zone adjacent to their home without payment, but not in other zones in the Town Centre.

Fare Free Local Transit in Perpetuity

Revenues from paid parking will be used to fund fare free transit in perpetuity. Fare free local transit has proven to increase transit ridership significantly. By encouraging alternative travel modes, including transit, parking demand can be reduced 10-30% in the medium term.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will paid parking in the Town Centre start?

Paid parking in the Town Centre was originally supposed to be implemented in 2020. This has been delayed due to COVID-19 until 2022.

How will paid parking improve the parking experience in the Town Centre?

The following are some of the ways paid parking will improve the user experience: Ensures prime parking is used for the highest value uses. Ensures parking is available most times on each block face and in each parking lot. Allows visitors and residents to shop and dine for a full four hours, reduces up to 30% of vehicle congestion by significantly reducing time spent hunting for spots. Funds transportation initiatives like fare-free transit. Funds Town Centre enhancements.

Where can I park for free?

Free all-day parking is proposed to be permitted on two streets north of the Town Centre where the streets are not primary parking areas for adjacent residential properties. Fairholme Drive has approximately 100 parking spaces with an average walking time to the Town Centre of seven minutes, and 7th Avenue has approximately 75 parking spaces with an average walking time to the Town Centre of six minutes. The panhandle at Elevation Place has room for approximately 75 vehicles and will be promoted as intercept RV parking and has a walking time to the Town Centre of five minutes.

Will parking be priced in off-peak times?

It is recommended to reduce pricing on Main Street to $1 per hour and all-day parking in designated areas to $2 per day or $10 for a monthly pass. Parking rates can be reduced or eliminated in off-peak season in other areas, however time restrictions are expected to remain in place.

How do I pay for parking?

Payment for parking can be made by smart phone app, phone, virtual pay stations on the web, or credit card and cash at pay stations.

Why fund fare free transit from parking revenues?

Fare free transit has proven to be successful. In both of the pilot periods of fare free transit in 2018 and 2019 ridership on local Roam has increased significantly. This provides another option for people to travel into the Town Centre without their vehicle.

Will accessible parking be free?

Accessible parking is proposed to be free as long as the vehicle is displaying a valid accessible permit.

How much will a monthly parking pass for the all day zones be?

Monthly passes for the all day parking zones are proposed at $60/month during peak season (May-September) and $10/month during non-peak season (October-April).

Why not just build a parkade?

A parkade would only add roughly an extra 160 stalls to our parking stock, which is not enough during peak periods. The parkade would sit largely empty for seven months of the year and come at a cost of millions to local taxpayers. A parkade would cost approximately $1M/year (annualized) to taxpayers, and a large percentage of taxpayers would not use it. Charging for parking gives those that need it the choice of when and how often they use it, while not putting that cost on the rest of the community.

Background

Paid parking and fare-free transit are two strategies outlined in the Integrated Parking Management Plan. In developing that plan a variety of engagement was done in the community and the topic has been mentioned in local news a number of times over the previous two years. For more information on the development of the plan visit the Integrated Parking Management webpage

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