Parking rates going up in Toronto, pending approval

Increases to Green P lots and on-street parking generally range from 15 to 25 per cent, but a handful could see rates jump by up to 50 per cent.

Thestar.com
Sept. 12, 2017
By David Hains

Torontonians will pay more to park if proposals from the Toronto Parking Authority are approved.

The increases to Green P lots and on-street parking generally range from 15 to 25 per cent, but a handful of particularly in-demand lots could see rates jump by up to 50 per cent.

"2016 was an extremely busy year," said Ian Maher, the authority's vice-president of strategic planning. "It was probably the biggest increase in parking demand we've had."

Maher said that's partially due to the popular TPA mobile app.

The authority conducts annual reviews and adjusts prices accordingly. Its studies look at demand for parking, competition at nearby lots, prices in other cities and the last time local prices were changed.

This year's proposed changes would result in $3.5 million in additional city revenue from Green P parking lots. The amount of additional revenue from on-street parking will likely be contained in a report going before the Government Management Committee on Sept. 25. Council will then consider the on-street parking proposal on Oct. 2, but the authority has the final say on Green P rates.

All of the proposed hourly Green P lot increases are either 25 or 50 cents per hour. The biggest percentage increase sees the hourly rate go from $1 to $1.50 on Broadview Ave., north of Queen St. E.

The authority recommends its top tier of on-street parking increase from $4 to $5 per hour, its second tier increase from $3 to $4 and its third tier increase from $2.25 to $3. The fourth tier would stay at $2 and the bottom two tiers, $1.50 and $1, would be consolidated into a $1 tier.

Maher explained that changing prices helps the authority meets its objectives.

"The prices move the lever on demand," he said.

With Green P lots, the authority aims to serve drivers who need short-term parking for up to three or four hours, which is meant to support local businesses. Increasing prices at some locations should make the lots less attractive for commuters, thus increasing available spaces for short-term parking.

Harry Kitchen, a professor emeritus in economics at Trent University, agrees with the approach.

"I think the whole notion of raising parking pricing is right," he said.

People may grumble about it, he explained, but based on his reading of the literature, the best way to handle a congestion problem is to control it through pricing.

"Let's face it: there are too many cars in downtown Toronto," he said.