City of Edmonton to replace parking payment machines with mobile-only system

Drivers who want to park on city streets will soon only have the option of paying with a cell phone. CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson explains.

The City of Edmonton will be making adjustments to how people will pay for parking.

According to a Friday news release from the city, they will begin removing EPark machines in phases and replacing them with a mobile-only payment system starting April 14.

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To upgrade the outdated machines, the city would have to spend $2.8 million to enable chip and pin payment methods.

“We recognize removing the EPark machines represents a significant change for some customers,” said Edmonton’s general supervisor of planning and permitting Jenny Albers.

“We’re doing so by installing signs with information on how to pay for EPark, taking a phased approach to machine removal, and providing 24/7 customer support via HotSpot,” she added.

Machine removal will begin in zones from least-used to the busiest areas in the city.

Transition schedule

From April 14 to May 31, the city will replace payment machines in North Edge, Alberta Avenue, Kingsway, Stony Plain, 124 Street and Old Strathcona.

Machines in the downtown area will move to the new system between May 15 to July 31.

The next zones to transition will be the Rogers Place area, then downtown parkades.

No set dates have been set for them.

Parking limits

Starting July 1, the two-hour parking limit will be removed in all EPark zones city streets on weekdays from 4 to 9 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

“We heard that two hours may not be enough time to, for example, grab dinner and catch a show. Eliminating these limits in the evenings and on weekends better enables visitors to explore all Edmonton has to offer,” Albers said.

“By reducing the use of two-hour on-street parking limits, we will provide parkers with additional flexibility and support businesses near EPark zones.”

New payment methods

The city will offer new methods of paying for parking that can be accessed through a mobile device.

These include:

• scanning a QR code;
• using the HotSpot Parking app;
• going online and following the instructions; and
• calling 1-855-712-5888 and paying by phone.

HotSpot Parking provides support 24/7 if customers are having issues with the new payment systems.

More information about the parking changes can be found on the City of Edmonton’s website.