By Aaron Mahoney (@Mahones93 on Twitter)

City of Lethbridge inviting residents to try new downtown parking system

Feb 10, 2018 | 8:43 AM

LETHBRIDGE – With the City of Lethbridge getting ready to implement a new downtown parking system, they want to invite residents to try out the multi-space machines that will replace the aging coin-operated meters.

In a release, the city is encouraging people to test the demonstration machines, so they are comfortable with the new way of paying for downtown parking before the system goes live this spring.

The machines will be available on the following days:

Self-guided demonstrations: City Hall Foyer and Downtown Business Revitalization Zone Office
Feb-May, 2018 | 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Staff supported demonstrations | City Hall Foyer
March 12 and 14 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
April 3 and 5 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

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The new parking system is user-friendly and provides more flexibility for residents with 170, conveniently placed, pay-by-plate machines throughout the downtown.

After parking in one of the over 1900 downtown parking stalls, drivers will walk to the nearest kiosks, select the zone they are parked in, enter their plate number and pay for their parking by coin or credit card.

There will also be the convenient option of paying for and monitoring parking time through a smartphone app.  

Once the system is fully implemented, this upgrade will introduce modern parking technologies to the downtown core.

Enforcement officers will be able to monitor parking using a license plate recognition system, helping establish consistent parking controls.

When the new system is implemented, there will be no change to the current parking meter rates.

Paid parking is used in the downtown to deter all-day parking, ensuring parking turnover and the ongoing availability of spaces for shoppers and visitors, which the city hopes foster a vibrant downtown with increased business activity and revenue opportunities.