City to look into physical parking payment options

Edmonton's physical payment options for public parking are being phased out, but council is looking at ways to bring them back.

Edmonton city council has asked administration to look into keeping physical payment options for parking.

E-Park machines that accept payment on the spot are scheduled to be phased out in favour of the Hot Spot parking app that’s been in use for about a year.

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Coun. Aaron Paquette, who tabled the motion, says people who don’t have credit cards or smart phones cannot switch to payment by app.

“If we can review what we’re doing, slow it down (and) make sure that everyone is able to park when they need to park, I think that’s the priority,” Paquette told CTV News Edmonton on Tuesday.

Administration will prepare a report on the demand for physical parking options.

Physical E-Park machines that are left will stop working on July 31, so any changes that are made will come after a period of app use only.