City committee to discuss new parking model in downtown Calgary

CALGARY – Parking rates in downtown Calgary are the second most expensive in North America, behind only New York City.

It’s that staggering statistic that has the City of Calgary considering a new ‘supply and demand’ parking system.

The system would reward drivers for parking in low-use areas, and encourage short-term parking in higher-use spots.

The Calgary Parking Authority claims it could actually reduce the average price paid for parking, but drivers would have to wait and see.

“If everyone’s parking in one part of the neighbourhood and it is jam packed there, and two blocks away it’s not, then we can discount the parking where people aren’t using it… so they start migrating there,” says Alderman Gian-Carlo Carra.

The concept is based on a model in San Francisco.

“If there are eight stalls out of a ten-stall block, that’ll be a price increase… if there’s five stalls full, that would see a price drop,” explains Troy McLeod with the Calgary Parking Authority.

The plan would take advantage of smart phones, using apps to help you map out where to park and how much it will cost.

The plan is being reviewed by a city committee on Wednesday, and if council members approve it new rates would take effect this summer.