Montreal has decided to extend paid parking hours in the heart of the city, and we couldn't help but share our thoughts.
Starting November 15th, the parking game in Old Montreal and downtown is changing.
Say goodbye to the old 9-to-9 schedule (9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays), and say hello to a new set of rules:
🌙 Monday to Friday: Now, you'll need to feed the meter from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. That's right; parking meters are becoming night owls!
🌟 Saturdays: The weekend isn't spared either. Saturdays will have you paying from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Yikes!
Sundays: Thankfully, Sundays stay the same, with paid parking between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. – a little breathing room.
Here's the map to see the areas that are affected:
These changes are aimed at syncing up with local businesses and cultural hubs, so it's not all bad news.
Montreal wants to keep those parking spaces available for you, but it seems they're turning up the heat on the meters.
Now, here's the cool part. The city is also giving you more time in a single spot – from three hours to five hours.
So, you can explore the city without constantly worrying about your parking meter's hunger.
But, wait, there's more! The affected area includes Old Montreal and parts of the downtown core, including the Old Port area – some of the city's busiest tourist spots.
Sophie Mauzerolle, the executive committee member in charge of transport and mobility, says these changes are all about keeping things flowing. Too many folks were just paying the last hour on the meter and leaving their cars overnight. Not cool, right?
By making parking a little pricier, they hope to encourage more people to move their cars. More movement means more business for local shops and restaurants. At least, that's the plan.
Of course, not everyone's thrilled about these changes. Aref Salem, the leader of Ensemble Montreal, says it's like a tax on drivers in the affected areas. And he's got a point – it might not be the best news for businesses that rely on patrons driving downtown.
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