Kelowna Residents Annoyed About Parking Increases

Though frequent parkers might be annoyed by the new rates, the City of Kelowna says that the increases are necessary to stop the parking program from losing money.

Parkade rates went up on Thursday, now consistently at $5 per day. For lots such as the Library parkade, the rate nearly doubled from $3 to $5. The final step, monthly parking rates, are to be implemented for November 1. Though rates varied depending on the lot, now they are at a consistent $66 per month.

Kelowna parking map. (Photo Credit: City of Kelowna)

Some residents were particularly frustrated that they weren't reminded when the increases would be put into place, with no signage in the parkades. Parking Services Manager Dave Duncan admits that signage is a challenge for service, with relying on media channels to notify the public.

“I suppose some time has elapsed since the rates were approved, and maybe some people have forgotten about it.” He says that they sent out notification letters around two months ago to all the monthly customers about increases. On the issue of frequent users without monthly passes being unaware of the changes, he agreed that it was a challenge. “We'll definitely keep that in mind for the future if we make any changes.”

(Photo Credit: KelownaNow)

However, increased rates are not something that the City deals with very often, with Duncan estimating it had been about 20 years since there had been a full-scale increase.

The City Council approved the parking increases in January, and they've been slowly implemented starting in June. As frustrating as this may be, Duncan says the increases are necessary to avoid increasing taxes. The parking program had to be subsidized, and the parkades are still subsidized by the on-street parking fees. In order to continue improving services with projects such as the Library Parkade expansion, the fees have to increase.

The City of Kelowna is hoping that the increases will encourage a more balanced transportation system with more focus on transit, walking, and cycling.