City council voting on getting rid of free parking for motorcycles today

[Rob MacLennan]

Thanks for keeping on this.

[Face]

Michelle Berardinetti, Councillor for Ward 35, Southwest Scarborough, has e-mailed the following reply to one of her constituants, a long-time rider:

"My office is well-versed on the issue of the motorcycle and scooter parking. I will not support rescinding the existing bylaw for a multitude of reasons."

Great to see at least one Councillor put forward a commitment of support in writing! She is also the Councillor who is responsible for removing the bicycle lanes to nowhere on Birchmount & Pharmacy (which no one uses), and bringing them back to 4 lanes.

Big to Councillor Berardinetti! If you're in her ward, please send her a thank-you e-mail.

[Face]

The first Public Works & Infrastructure Committee Meeting in April is on April 3rd. I just checked, and motorcycle parking fees is not on the the agenda. The next Committee meeting is April 18th. I'll keep watching and post here if anything comes up. Everybody who asked, should also get notification.

In the mean time, keep the pressure on your Councillors.

Nothing on the April 18th agenda. May 16th is next, then June 14th, then nothing until September.

[UltrA_09]

Nothing on the April 18th agenda. May 16th is next, then June 14th, then nothing until September.

That's good to hear! I'd consider this a temporary success!

[knowledge]

They're spending a million upgrading the parking machines and using your cellphone to renew parking/pay isn't out of the question. Not a good sign for us, folks

[Rob MacLennan]

They're spending a million upgrading the parking machines and using your cellphone to renew parking/pay isn't out of the question. Not a good sign for us, folks

This 'update' just includes adjusting the coin mechanism to recognize the now lighter Loonies and Twoonies. Imagine how much it would cost to do what you said.

[viper84737]

They're spending a million upgrading the parking machines and using your cellphone to renew parking/pay isn't out of the question. Not a good sign for us, folks

So you're saying they would mandate that you have a cell phone to park in the ****** of Toronto? The evil overlords at Rogers/Bell would be pleased to hear such a scenario come to life.

[Cat13]

This 'update' just includes adjusting the coin mechanism to recognize the now lighter Loonies and Twoonies. Imagine how much it would cost to do what you said.

Thats supposedly all they are changing about the meters. In order to make them coordinate with cell phones it would require new machines not just upgrades. City is bitching apparently about having to spend this money so they will not do the cell phone upgrade for a long time. Plus not just bikers will ***** about that one.

[vkhamphi]

Thats supposedly all they are changing about the meters. In order to make them coordinate with cell phones it would require new machines not just upgrades. City is bitching apparently about having to spend this money so they will not do the cell phone upgrade for a long time. Plus not just bikers will ***** about that one.

Drivers will still have the option to use coins/credit card and place ticket inside their car ​even without having a cell phone.

[Cat13]

Drivers will still have the option to use coins/credit card and place ticket inside their car ​even without having a cell phone.

But it will still be an expensive change to the system which they hate spending money like that.

[knowledge]

This 'update' just includes adjusting the coin mechanism to recognize the now lighter Loonies and Twoonies. Imagine how much it would cost to do what you said.

I really hope that's true, but it's very likely that they're gonna spend more than that. The whole system is long overdue for a rehaul, and they've been putting it off for too long. They can't hold out for much longer. You should see some of the machines/programming/systems that they still use...it's so obsolete. You would also lol if you met the head technician. And don't even get me started on how inefficiently it's being run.

tl;dr = they're lying about the cost of the upgrade or they're gonna follow through & spend more so people don't call them out on lying about the upgrade

[knowledge]

So you're saying they would mandate that you have a cell phone to park in the ****** of Toronto? The evil overlords at Rogers/Bell would be pleased to hear such a scenario come to life.

Like he said, I doubt they could force you to have a cellphone...but it would actually make sense. I read that we actually have one of the highest cell phones per capita rates (think of everyone that you know...each family member has their own cellphone). You'd be a minority to not have a cellphone in this day & age. + more & more phones have that smartpay thing now - the hardware's already in place.