Calgary parking authority goes too far - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Dion · 10-07-2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

The city is ticketing drivers who back into parking spots at Park and Ride lots.

On Monday, Lisa White backed into her parking spot before catching the LRT. When she returned at the end of the day she was shocked to see a $40 ticket on her windshield.

"I was confused, I didn't understand what I go it for, I paid for parking," says White.

White's ticket was for "not parking facing in."

Park and Ride lots have signage saying you are not allowed to back into your spot. The Calgary Parking Authority (CPA) says those signs meet legal requirements and have been in place for months.

White says the sign in her lot is only 61cm x 61cm. "I have never seen this sign, parking at the LRT station almost every day."

The CPA says backing into stalls is now illegal because its ParkPlus camera can't read those licence plates to see if the driver has paid the parking fee. And while the drivers of the ParkPlus vehicle could get out and look at the licence plate, that's not the way the system was designed. "The system is intended to be enforced through mobile photo enforcement and that is one of the benefits to this system and we're continuing with that method of enforcement from today forward," says Dale Fraser from the CPA.

http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/loc...commentSection

Sliver · 10-07-2009, 06:13 PM

Yeah that's super weak.

IntenseFan · 10-07-2009, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dion

"City council sets the policy. City council sets the rates. City council gives us our direction and indeed the Calgary Parking Authority takes all its direction from city council," says Fraser.

Laughed when I saw that.

Translation, it's all the City's fault.

FlamesKickAss · 10-07-2009, 06:15 PM

so when the guy got out of his car to write the ticket why couldn't he punch in the licence plate?

IntenseFan · 10-07-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlamesKickAss

so when the guy got out of his car to write the ticket why couldn't he punch in the licence plate?

Good question.

This gets better and better.

I guess that the City has determined that the cost of getting the guy out of the car to check the plate is roughly equivalent to parking there without paying?

jammies · 10-07-2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dion

http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/loc...commentSection

So if I understand correctly, someone has to physically go to the car and give them a ticket - with the licence plate number on it - because the automatic system can't read the licence plate number? Instead of the person giving the ticket just checking to see if that person has paid?

FlamesKickAss · 10-07-2009, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jammies

So if I understand correctly, someone has to physically go to the car and give them a ticket - with the licence plate number on it - because the automatic system can't read the licence plate number? Instead of the person giving the ticket just checking to see if that person has paid?

and it costs 40 bucks to this dont you know.....

thesmugger · 10-07-2009, 07:27 PM

If you follow the rules you wont get a penalty!! Simple as that, there is a sign that clearly says to, NOT back into the stall! People cry about everything these days its hilarious

Dan02 · 10-07-2009, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesmugger

If you follow the rules you wont get a penalty!! Simple as that, there is a sign that clearly says to, NOT back into the stall! People cry about everything these days its hilarious

I guess you're idea of clearly and mine aren't the same, I don't park there often but i have yet to actually see said sign..

Huntingwhale · 10-07-2009, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesmugger

If you follow the rules you wont get a penalty!! Simple as that, there is a sign that clearly says to, NOT back into the stall! People cry about everything these days its hilarious

People "cry" about it because it is a STUPID rule!! Like some posters have said, the person has to get out to check the plate to write the ticket anyways, why don't they punch it in then? This rule is ONLY in effect because the CPA is to lazy to have people get out and check the plates manually. This is there way of smitting the people who back in. Anybody who drives a big truck knows that not only is it easier to back into the stall when parking, but it makes leaving a LOT easier when all you have to do is drive forward and away, and not worry about maneuvering backwards to get out and risk hitting another vehicle. I know a lot of people were looking forward to backing into the stalls in the cold winter days so the guy would have to physically get out and check.

I hope this "rule" causes an uproar with the public and City Hall is flooded with complaints about how stupid this is. It's stupid enough we have to pay $3 to park at the station to take the train. Even stupider that people get ticketed for backing in.

Sliver · 10-07-2009, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesmugger

If you follow the rules you wont get a penalty!! Simple as that, there is a sign that clearly says to, NOT back into the stall! People cry about everything these days its hilarious

Lol there's one of these in every thread like this.

Huntingwhale · 10-07-2009, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan02

I guess you're idea of clearly and mine aren't the same, I don't park there often but i have yet to actually see said sign..

You probably haven't seen it because it is written in small print right when you turn into the lot. I don't know about anybody else, but when I am turning into a lot I am more concerned with watching where I am going then trying to slow down and squint and read some stupid sign while I drive.

thesmugger · 10-07-2009, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan02

I guess you're idea of clearly and mine aren't the same, I don't park there often but i have yet to actually see said sign..

Even if its not, maybe this moron could get a clue when every other car is not backed in....

TheU · 10-07-2009, 07:41 PM

i honestly cant stand the CPA and calgary transit. its criminal to charge people 3 dollars a day for parking and then to charge people for parking the wrong way? heres a tip, get out of your car you lazy sack of ####

thesmugger · 10-07-2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sliver

Lol there's one of these in every thread like this.

One of what? It's a SIMPLE rule so follow it.. It's as simple as not backing in... I just don't get the debate here. Pull into the stall, pay and go on with your day. It's so simple! Its frustrating that people try to debate such little things like this.

Oh yes, it is a big deal that the people scanning need to get out of their car.. If everyone started to back in they wouldn't be productive. It would take longer to walk through every car, going to the front of cars, going to back.. back and forth back and forth every single parking lot in the city... Follow the simple little rule, the guys scanning can finish quicker and be on
with their day too.

GGG · 10-07-2009, 07:45 PM

I think I agree with the city on this one but not how they go about it. I think that along with putting the signs up they should have given out 3 or 4 months worth of warning tickets before handing out the first backing in and then started out giving out the tickets for parking incorrectly. Also when getting out of the car they should check the plates as well and give out a ticket for both backing in and not paying for parking.

I agree with the policy because they need a method to effectively enforce the parking fee and not letting people skirt their way around it.

I agree with the parking fee because the best way to deal with a scarce resource is to charge for it what the market will bare. Although if the lots haven't filled up by 9 the fee should be lowered for those specific lots.

Resolute 14 · 10-07-2009, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesmugger

If you follow the rules you wont get a penalty!! Simple as that, there is a sign that clearly says to, NOT back into the stall! People cry about everything these days its hilarious

On the one hand, I agree. It is a private lot, and your permission to use the lot carries with it a requirement to follow the lot owners rules.

On the other hand, the rules flat out are not marked well at all. Every single time i park at Chinook prior to a Flames game, I end up saving a few people the necessity of paying for their parking because the city certainly made no effort to clearly mark that parking is free after 6PM and on weekends.

The city has the right to fine people who back into stalls, but it needs to make sure that its signage is clear and obvious. Frankly, it is not.

CrusaderPi · 10-07-2009, 07:47 PM

2 quick notes:

Anyone that backs into a parking spot is a dick.

The new season of Parking Wars is on A&E tonight.

Dion · 10-07-2009, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesmugger

If you follow the rules you wont get a penalty!! Simple as that, there is a sign that clearly says to, NOT back into the stall! People cry about everything these days its hilarious

You mean a sign that has been clearly changed? Like how many people read the same sign over and over again when they use the park and ride lots? I seriously doubt many people do.

Fact is there was no public awareness program to let users know of the changes. No news stories, no ads, no nothing.

FlamesKickAss · 10-07-2009, 07:50 PM

if we had front plates this wouldnt be problem!! People could back in to a stall and CPA could stay in their cool or warm vehicles!!

Its getty's fault she got her ticket!!