In June 2024, the Hotspot App will replace PayByPhone at all City parking meters and select parking lots with hourly and daily parking options. The HotSpot app enables you to pay for vehicle parking in seconds. The app is a completely cashless solution, reminds you when your parking session is about to expire and even lets you extend your parking time from anywhere! HotSpot is convenient, easy and secure.
Download the app on iOS or Android, or call 1-855-712-5888. All major credit cards as well as Visa and Mastercard debit are acceptable forms of payment.
Traditional payment methods, including coin and credit card payments, will still be accepted at parking meters and kiosks throughout the city.
Watch the instructional, step-by-step video on how to use the HotSpot app here.
How to Use the HotSpot Parking App
Create a HotSpot account.
- Download the HotSpot Parking app. The app is a free download for Apple and Android devices from the App Store and Google Play Store.
- Open the app and click Get Started.
- Select your country. (Canada or USA)
- Select your province.
- Select your current city or location.
- Select your user preference (either daily parking or monthly permits). This can be changed later in your app settings.
- Enter your email address and click Next.
- Set your password and click Next.
- Accept the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and click Submit.
- You will be given the option to “select plan”. Swipe to the left twice past Yearly, Monthly options and choose Park and Go and click Select Plan.
- Confirm that you are signing-up for the Park and Go plan.
Add a payment method.
- Click the button with three lines (sometimes called a “hamburger”) found in the top left corner of the screen to manage your account.
- Click Manage My Account.
- Under Membership and Balance, click Add/Manage Funds.
- To add a credit card, click Add Card.
- If prompted, enter the security code sent to your phone by text message.
- Enter your card information, the cardholder name, country and postal code.
- Click Save card.
To add funds to your digital wallet:
- From the home screen of the app, under Wallet Balance, click Add Funds.
- Select the amount you wish to add and click Add Funds.
- Select the card you want to use for the transaction.
- Click Use this Card.
- You should now see the funds in your wallet when you return to the home screen.
Next, add a vehicle.
- Click the button with three lines (sometimes called a “hamburger”) found in the top left corner of the screen to manage your account.
- Under Parking, click Manage My Vehicles.
- Click Add a Vehicle.
- Type in your licence plate. To avoid receiving a ticket, make sure it is entered correctly. Note: In British Columbia, most licence plates do not include the letter “O”, it is always the number “0” (zero). You may also enter additional information about the vehicle that will assist support staff in expediting the ticket dispute process.
- Click Add Vehicle to complete the process. You may add multiple vehicles to your account, just be sure to select the vehicle you are using when initiating your parking sessions.
- Click Yes to confirm your licence plate is correct.
How to add funds to your digital wallet:
- From the home screen of the app, under Wallet Balance, click Add Funds.
- Select the amount you wish to add and click Add Funds.
- Select the card you want to use for the transaction.
- Click Use this Card.
- You should now see the funds in your wallet when you return to the home screen. Funds stored in the digital wallet can be withdrawn from customer accounts upon request.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is the HotSpot App is slow to load or won't load at all?
Please ensure you have mobile data available or are connected to a network with internet access. If you have your Wifi turned on you may have inadvertently connected to a network without internet access.
- Why did Vernon transition to a new mobile parking provider?
As the contract with the current provider was expiring a request for proposals process was undertaken to ensure that residents were getting the best value.
- Why was HotSpot selected as the new parking system?
The new payment system, HotSpot, is a well-established and trusted app used by numerous of municipalities across Canada. HotSpot offers a wide variety of features and competitive pricing.
- What are the benefits of using HotSpot?
- Convenient Payment Options: Payments can be made using all major credit cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Visa Debit, and pre-paid credit cards.
- Fast Tap QR code signs: In select City parking users can easily pay without downloading the app by simply scanning the QR code with their smartphones.
- Reduced Convenience Fees: The convenience fees for using the HotSpot app are lower than those associated with the previous provider.
- Refunds for Unused Time: The HotSpot app allows users to refund the remaining time back to their digital wallet if they return to their vehicle before their parking session has expired, offering greater flexibility and cost-efficiency.
- Can I park downtown if I don't have a cellphone?
Yes, on-street parking meters accept coins, and Cale pay stations accept coins or credit cards in the flat-surface lots and Parkade.
- Are there minimum requirements for transaction amounts?
Yes, the minimum charge the HotSpot payment processor will charge for a parking session is $1.00. However, if you use funds that have been loaded into the Wallet function there is no minimum charge.
- Is prepayment available with the new system?
Yes, vehicles will be able to pre-pay in most zones starting at 5 a.m.
- Do you have to sign up for a membership to use the HotSpot app?
No membership is required to use the app.
- What are the convenience fees?
- The convenience fees to use the HotSpot app are 20 cents per transaction.
- Fast Tap convenience fees are 30 cents per transaction.
- Can I use the Fast Tap option without downloading the HotSpot app?
Yes, simply scan the QR code to pay for parking with your smartphone.
- Where is HotSpot customer data stored, and is it secure?
HotSpot utilizes Amazon Web Services (AWS) for data storage which has industry leading security. Credit card data is encrypted, and data centers are located in Canada.
- What is the HotSpot wallet used for?
- All HotSpot users have access to a wallet feature in their account. The wallet is used for hourly parking. To use the wallet, toggle on the ‘Use Wallet’ feature in the App Settings section (found in the drop down menu in the upper left hand corner).
- Funds can be added to the wallet at any time using a credit card, Visa Debit or prepaid Visa/MasterCard gift cards.
- There is a $10 minimum to load your wallet.
