The on-street test program for Pay and Display machines is now complete. The cold weather Calgary experienced in January and February provided the temperatures needed to demonstrate the machines could function in our Calgary climate. These extreme conditions were an ideal test of the solar power operations.
Pay and Display machines will be removed from the 8 Ave area and standard meters are back in place as further testing continues on several surface lots.
Thank you to all Calgarians who took the time to call, write or email with your compliments and your concerns. All comments will be considered as we move forward.
Please check back for ongoing updates on this project.
Related FAQ’s
What is a Pay and Display Machine?
Pay and Display machines are multi-space parking pay machines. They are an alternative to a parking meter. The name describes the machine - when you park you pay at the machine with credit card or coin, take the receipt issued and display it on your vehicle dash.
What are the benefits of a Pay and Display Machine?
Calgarians will see the immediate benefit of use credit cards payment for on-street parking. You’ve been asking for this and now it has arrived. Visa and MasterCard will be accepted.
The machines will issue receipts - another benefit for business customers.
The new machines are visually more pleasing and take up less sidewalk space than parking meters, a bonus to pedestrians.
And if a Pay and Display machine isn’t working customers can go to another machine in the area to pay.
How do the Pay and Display Machines Operate?
The new machines are all solar powered and designed to work even during our short winter days. Machines will be in two-way communication with our central monitoring system so any vandalism, system defaults or problems are immediately known.
The electronic display and instructions are designed to be easy to use for maximum customer satisfaction during each transaction. The internal printer will produce a clear receipt to display on your dash.
Will there be any change in parking enforcement?
Enforcement officers will continue to check for compliance with the parking bylaws. Officers have been trained in the use of the machines. To avoid a parking ticket ensure that:
the current receipt is clearly displayed face-up, on the dash of the vehicle;
receipt is placed on the dash nearest the curbside;
only one receipt is placed on the dash.
As with meters, payment is required in disabled parking zones and in short stay (15 minutes) parking areas during the times posted. Short-stay periods will be strictly enforced.
For more information on the on-street Pay and Display machine test program, click here