Winnipeg begins phasing out city-owned parking paystations

The City of Winnipeg began phasing out parking paystations Wednesday.

All meters will be removed by the end of August.

The city says the move will save them $1 million annually in operating costs, in addition to the $3.6 million needed to replace the meters when Canada phases out its 3G networks.

The absence of paystations will leave Winnipeggers with three ways of paying for parking:

• The PayByPhone app, which the city says 80 per cent of people already use;
• Calling 1-888-680-7275 and paying via credit or debit card;
• Pre-paid parking booklets.

The latter is the only non-phone option. The booklets will still be available for purchase at the Parking Store downtown. The city will also put them at the 311 counters at 510 Main Street and Accès-Access Saint-Boniface on Goulet Street.

Privately owned parking lots will continue to offer physical meters.