The City will begin rolling out a system that allows downtown customers to pay for parking using their smartphones beginning October 20, with full implementation planned for October 26. The initiative is a collaboration between the City of Vernon, the Downtown Vernon Association (DVA) and PayByPhone.
Vernon will be using the PayByPhone system, which allows an app on an Apple or Android phone to link to a parking location, and an allowance to pay by credit card for on- and off-street locations. These locations are noted on the PayByPhone decals on all parking equipment and by additional signage in parking lots. Any parking within the on-street location zones will continue, even if drivers move from one meter to another. Because of the differing rates and allowable parking terms, drivers may not move from a parking lot to the street or from the street to a parking lot, without entering a new transaction.
The PayByPhone system also has the capability to remind a client via text or email that their time is expiring, and allows the user to top up parking to the maximum time allowed for that location.
Users can register for a PayByPhone account at www.PayByPhone.com. Customers with an existing PayByPhone account will be able to use the account in Vernon and other cities with similar services, including Kelowna and Vancouver.
The DVA introduced the idea of a pay-by-phone system to Council earlier this spring in order to encourage additional forms of payment at City facilities, including on- and off-street parking areas. Council approved the proposal in May. The DVA will be providing downtown merchants with more information to support the initiative in coming weeks.
There is a minor service charge ($0.25) to fund the provision of services. In the downtown City-owned public parking lots, rates are $0.50 per hour, $4.00 per day, $17.00 per week or $60.00 per month (Monthly passes may be purchased at City Hall). Lots are free for parking after 5 p.m. on weekdays, and at all times on weekends. On-street parking is $1 per hour from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Saturday, while Sundays and Statutory Holidays are free for on-street parking.