Regina Mayor Proposes Pre-Paid Vouchers to Address Coin Meter Concerns
In response to significant public feedback, Regina Mayor Chad Bachynski has introduced a new pre-paid parking voucher option for downtown street meters. This proposal comes as the city council seeks to revise its recent decision to eliminate coin payments at parking meters, which took effect on March 1.
Addressing Accessibility Issues
Mayor Bachynski explained that his office received an influx of calls and emails from residents following the announcement of the switch to electronic payment methods. The primary concern raised was that removing coin options makes downtown less accessible for individuals who cannot use the city's new digital system, PayByPhone.
"I appreciate the residents who reached out with feedback to explain their situation," said Bachynski during an executive committee meeting. "It's a simple, cost-effective solution for folks who may not have a cell phone or credit card available."
Voucher Details and Implementation
If approved by city council next week, the pre-paid vouchers would be valid for one hour each and available for purchase at city hall in bundles of five for $13.75. Drivers would still need to adhere to the existing two-hour parking limit, with violations resulting in a $75 fine.
The executive committee voted unanimously to endorse the voucher amendment, moving it forward for final council approval. During discussions, Ward 7 Councillor Shobna Radons questioned whether the voucher system would be truly accessible, given the limited initial purchase locations.
Kurtis Doney, deputy city manager of city operations, responded that additional purchase locations could be added in the future to improve accessibility.
Broader Parking Changes
The voucher proposal comes alongside several other parking-related changes approved during budget deliberations. If the required bylaw amendments pass next week, the city plans to implement the following measures starting April 1:
- Increase all parking ticket fines by $10
- Raise parking fees by $0.50 per hour
- Increase street permit costs by 50 percent
These increases are expected to generate approximately $675,000 in additional revenue for the city.
New Parking Zones Proposed
Additionally, city council is considering a plan to create two distinct parking zones in the city center with different hourly rates:
- Zone 1: Most of downtown north of Victoria Avenue would maintain the current rate of $2.50 per hour.
- Zone 2: A new zone covering the metered area south of Victoria Avenue and west of Broad Street would feature a reduced rate of $1.50 per hour.
This zoning approach aims to balance parking demand and accessibility across different areas of downtown Regina.
The city's shift away from coin-operated meters reflects broader trends toward digital payment systems, but the voucher proposal demonstrates a commitment to maintaining accessibility for all residents during this transition period.
