The official opposition in Montreal wants the City to modernize the P$ Service mobile application, in order to “enforce” the user-pay principle.
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The application, available on a smartphone, allows you to pay the parking meter remotely for an on-street parking space.
However, in its current configuration, it does not allow the user to recover their money if they leave before the end of the allotted time. The remaining time is also not credited to the next user.
Elements that the opposition wants to change.
“It makes no sense to pay for a service that you don’t even use and even to charge people twice,” denounced Aref Salem, leader of the official opposition.
His solution would be to add a “start” button in the app interface, like other cities that already do, such as Calgary and Victoria.
Nearly 90% of on-street parking users would use the application. However, the opposition also hopes that the City will consider an alternative formula for those who pay for their parking directly at the parking meter.
“In Calgary, even without a smartphone, you can call an organization [to get reimbursed for the overpayment],” said Effie Giannou, city councilor for the opposition, as an example.
Parking fees provide significant revenue for the City. Mr. Salem, however, does not believe that the measure will cause a shortfall.
“The City must be fair to its citizens. Charging twice for the same space is not. What we are asking is to find a way to be fair, ”said Mr. Salem.
On the side of the Plante administration, we say we are “open” to discussing the proposal at the next city council.
“The significant investments that we have made in technological updating and innovation at the Sustainable Mobility Agency will open many doors to fairly pricing and make parking easier and more transparent for motorists,” reacted Marikym. Gaudreault, press officer in the office of the mayor.
