The Parking meter turns 75

(CNN) -- As you sift through your pockets Friday looking for change to pay the parking meter, stop and take a moment to wish it a happy birthday.
It was on this day 75 years ago that the first parking meter was installed.
And 75 long years later, these coin-gulping contraptions remain as despised as they were when the first 150 of them were put in place in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on July 16, 1935.

Full Story here

Bike parking takes over car parking spaces

Toronto bike riders can celebrate a “first” today: the City has converted two car parking spots into parking for a minimum of 16 bikes.

Here is a little background on how it happened.

Last year after I returned from a month-long trip to Scandinavia — where I witnessed a variety of amazing bike infrastructure projects — I was determined to see if any of them could be implemented here in Toronto. One of the easiest things, I figured, was the conversion of a few car parking spots into bike parking. Montreal had done it a few years back and I saw other examples in cities like Vancouver, New York and Portland.

Full Story here

Are new tolls roads in Toronto's future?

From The Passing Lane

Oh, joy. In a report to be released today, something called the Toronto City Summit Alliance is adding its voice in support of road tolls for the greater Toronto area.

Full Story here

Toronto’s secret free parking policy costing the city millions

Welcome to the People’s Republic of Toronto, where, as George Orwell might opine, “All parkers are equal... except some parkers are more equal than others.”

In a mystery worthy of The Da Vinci Code treatment, it has come to light that there’s a highly secretive 25-page booklet containing a list of people and streets in Hogtown that are exempt from parking fines. And this act of clandestine generosity is costing taxpayers millions of dollars in forfeited revenue.

Full Story

Source: MSN Auto

Ottawa man alledgedly attacks Toronto parking officer

Toronto - An Ottawa man accused of attacking a Parking Enforcement Officer(PEO) yesterday was arrested for assault and threatening bodily harm.

Full Story

Source: The Digital Journal

CRA Targets Parking City Staffers

Original Source

Did you find one of those notorious "yellow slips" on your windshield this lately?

This might make you feel a little better.

More than 17-hundred city workers with parking privileges now face back taxes dating back to 2006, following an audit done by the Canada Revenue Agency.

Workers being targeted park at city hall metro hall and civic centres in North York and Scarborough.

The C-R-A launched the audit last year after getting a complant from mayoral candidate Rob Ford who was ticked about the amount of "outrageous" tax-free perks councilors get.

Parking Officer attacked

Parking enforcement officer attacked on the job
A parking enforcement officer was attacked while issuing tickets in east-end Toronto Sunday afternoon. The male officer is being treated at Toronto East General Hospital for cuts and bruises.

Zip Car and City of Toronto

Zipcar, Inc., the world’s largest car-sharing service, and the City of Toronto will now provide city residents easier access to cost-effective, environmentally friendly transportation options by parking Zipcars on select city streets. A Toyota Matrix Zipcar named “Macall”, the first of 11 total dedicated Zipcars to be parked across the city, is now available at the intersection of Harrison Garden Boulevard and Humberstone Drive.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100119/NE39517 )

Read the full story at Voice of Toronto

Toronto Parking Authority

Source: The National Post
The city's wholly owned parking operations generate about $55-million in profit every year. The blue-ribbon panel provided estimates, still considered accurate, that say anywhere from $200-million to $500-million could be made if the operating contract was monetized over a period of time. There are also 150 parking lots, such as the City Hall garage or the Dundas Square garage, that could be sold. President Gwyn Thomas said the TPA and the city have not had much discussion about any sales.

Parking Utility app for iPhone

Toronto Parking 1.0

Description:
Parking is always a big deal in T.O. Green P lots offer the best rates in the GTA. Heading downtown to watch that hockey game or meet up with friend in downtown?
Don’t pay an arm and a leg for parking. I see it all the time, an outdoor parking lot charging $20 a pop, but next door Green P charges $5 even $3 bucks after 6 pm.

Save time and gas driving around looking for the best rate,
locate Toronto (Green P) lots around the GTA on Google Maps.

Guaranteed that you will save on parking the first time you use this App.

Download this