Drivers are paying more to park at five municipal parking lots in Ottawa, including the two lots in the ByWard Market and at Ottawa City Hall.
The City of Ottawa quietly increased the daily maximum rate at five parking lots this spring, with rates jumping between six and 17 per cent at municipal lots.
“The City of Ottawa reviews off-street parking rates three times per year, and considers factors such as facility usage, nearby parking rates, and alignment with the Municipal Parking Management Strategy,” Scott Caldwell, manager of Parking Services, said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.
“Each lot is assessed individually to ensure rates reflect its unique circumstances.”
According to the city, the daily maximum rate at the ByWard Market Garage at 70 Clarence Street is now $16 a day between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday, up from $15.
The daily maximum rate increased at the Dalhousie Garage at 141 Clarence Street increased $2 to $14. The weekend daily maximum rate also increased from $5 to $6.
At Ottawa City Hall, the daily maximum parking rate increased to $22 from $20.
There was no increase in the 30-minute and hourly rates at the municipal parking garages in the ByWard Market and at City Hall.
According to the City of Ottawa’s website, the daily maximum rate increased at the parking lot at the Bank and Chamberlain Parking Lot at 574 Bank Street $1 to $13.
The daily maximum rate at the municipal Slater Parking Lot on Slater Street increased $1 to $22 a day.
In November, the city adjusted short-term and daily maximum rates at several parking lots, including the two lots on Clarence Street.
The daily maximum rates were updated at five locations: Preston Parking Lot, Tech High School Parking Lot, Somerset and Cambridge Parking Lot, Cyr Street Parking Lot, and the North River Road Parking Lot.
Ottawa city councillor Stéphanie Plante says the parking rates are being aligned with prices across the country.
“They had not been increased since before the pandemic so. this is just aligning with the realities of what it costs to park in a major city,” Plante said.
“It is one of the cheaper ones out of all the major cities in Canada. It’s almost $40 in places like Toronto and Montreal. So, it is significantly cheaper than that. Like any other major city, we’re trying to get people more on our public transit, whether that be the LRT or the bus.
Driver Larry Leonardi said he’s not enthusiastic about the hike in prices, but agrees the price is lower than in other major cities.
“I don’t think it’s a great idea. It keeps people away if you increase the price,” he said.
“Compared to a city like Montreal, it’s reasonable.”
With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Natalie van Rooy
