By Khang Nguyen

City to consider increasing snow route parking fees

Oct 6, 2015 | 6:38 AM

With snow season just around the corner, the city is discussing raising the ticket price for vehicles parked in snow routes.

Proposed at Monday night’s executive committee meeting, the city will be looking at raising the ticket prices from $25, with a $10 early payment option, to $100, with a $50 early payment option.

Mayor Greg Dionne said the raised prices will hopefully deter people from parking in snow routes.

“You want your ticket to be a deterrent. A $25 ticket wasn’t a deterrent, a $100 ticket will be a deterrent, but if you pay it early it will be $50,” said Dionne.

The suggestion comes after a more aggressive approach was taken year last year in regards to snow clearing operations. In the 2014/2015 winter season, the city increased enforcement of the no-parking ban. According to bylaw enforcement, 102 vehicles were towed in 2013 and 190 in 2014.

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“We dabbled in it last year and it was very successful. The general public was very happy that we were getting out major routes,” Dionne said.

Even with the increase of vehicles towed last year, the city, unable to tow every vehicle is looking to the ticket price increase to assist in the matter.

“In the residence, we’re just going to ticket this year where last year we did move into the residence, and did ticket and tow, this year we’re just going to ticket and see if they will abide by the rules.”

“No Parking” signs are put up at least 12 hours in advance of plowing. Vehicles that are not moved before that time will be given a ticket.

Vehicles parked on priority one snow routes will still be subject to towing in addition to the ticket.

The city will also look into more ways to improve the system, such as increasing the availability of tow trucks, allowing more city staff to issue tickets, and improving communication with residents on when their streets are going to be cleared.

 “The main key is that we got to get our major routes clear, our priority routes, we have to have those available,” said Dionne. “People have to understand when the signs come up … they have to move their vehicles.”

knguyen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @khangvnguyen