Paid parking system still offline in Elora as QR codes reroute to porn website

The paid parking system is still offline in Elora after QR codes took drivers to pornography website. CTV’s Jeff Pickel explains.

Elora’s paid parking system remains offline more than a month after an unexpected complication.

Centre Wellington Township launched the new program on May 8. It allowed residents to park downtown for free, while visitors had to pay up to park at the popular tourist destination.

On June 10, the system was suspended.

According to multiple firsthand reports, the QR code that was supposed to direct people to the payment page sent them instead to a pornography website.

The system was still offline as of July 15.

Residents told CTV News they were concerned about the township’s handling of the issue.

“There’s been very little communication from the start,” said Erika Montiero, owner of Blackbird Consignment on Metcalfe Street. “There wasn’t much communication when it first happened. After that, I believed that it was implied it would be up and running soon. It’s been over a month now [and] the communication hasn’t really improved.”

Garbage bags now cover the parking signs downtown, with limited signage explaining the parking situation.

Township staff were not available for an interview with CTV News.

Lisa Macdonald, a councillor in Centre Wellington, said she understands the frustration from residents and doesn’t know why the system is still offline.

“It’s an operations matter, so councillors cannot get involved in operations with the township,” she said.

According to Macdonald, staff working on the issue should have more answers before the end of the month.

“What I can say is they are working very hard on it,” she said Wednesday. “I expect something to come forward before the end of the month, is what I was informed, and I look forward to that.”

A report from Centre Wellington said between May 8 and June 8, the Township generated $100,095 in revenue from paid parking and an additional $44,060 from 632 penalty notices.

Montiero was disappointed the township cannot continue to collect revenue.

“If your reason for doing paid parking is because you want tourism to pay for tourism, this is not tourism paying for tourism. Because it’s the busiest tourism season and there is no revenue coming in,” she said.

Until the situation is resolved, drivers will get free three-hour parking in Elora.

Macdonald also suggested visitors use the Elora and Fergus downtown shuttle from Grand River Raceway, which is also free. The shuttle operates every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, every hour on the hour, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.