THUNDER BAY -- Here’s a fact that might surprise you.
Poverty Free Thunder Bay is in favour of increased parking costs in the City of Thunder Bay.
But there’s a catch. PFTB’s Fare-Free Transit Working Group is calling for a reduction in the cost of public transit.
Paul Berger, a member of the Fare-Free Transit Working Group, said parking is a small cost compared to owning, insuring, operating and maintaining a private vehicle.
“There will certainly be people who feel the pinch of higher parking rates, but thousands of people with the lowest incomes don't have private vehicles,” Berger said by email.
“In a climate-threatened world, taxpayer subsidies for private vehicles make little sense.
“Instead, we need more frequent, reliable, and affordable public transit. Poverty Free Thunder Bay supports higher parking rates and lower public transit fares and suggests that the underutilized lots be repurposed for building multi-unit low-rise, affordable, climate-friendly public housing.”
Berger also provided some points he felt were important enough to mention:
- Most of the lowest income earners in Thunder Bay do not have private vehicles and will not be impacted by an increase in parking rates.
- There are certainly people in Thunder Bay who have low incomes, own vehicles, and are feeling the pinch of inflation. Increasing parking rates will make things more difficult for them, especially, for example, if they rely on a parkade and must pay $270 more each year. At $90/month, if they are parking in a parkade near their place of employment, that will be $1,080 per year.
- Most people who have vehicles in Thunder Bay will find the increased rates an irritation at first, but it will not significantly impact their finances. These are small amounts relative to the cost of owning, insuring, operating and maintaining a vehicle.
The Parking Authority Financial Plan was presented to City Council as a First Report on Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, and will be re-presented with public feedback on Monday, Jan. 22. Some of the recommended changes include increasing parking rates and introducing paid parking at the waterfront.
Among the biggest proposed changes:
- Steep increases to most parking rates at meters, lots, and parkades in 2024
- Inflationary increases to rates from 2025 onwards
- Extending paid parking times to 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Saturday
- Paid parking at all Marina Park lots, excluding boating spaces
- Closing five underutilized surface lots (Camelot, Crooks, Machar, Viscount and Nesco) If approved by council, the changes are planned for implementation in June of 2024.
As part of the public review period, the city is looking for feedback on the plan, including what parking services the public uses and how parking should be paid for.
“This plan will help the Parking Authority be less dependent on the taxpayer,” said Keri Greaves, Acting General Manager – Corporate Services.
“The proposed changes aim to strike a balance between affordability and sustainability," Greaves said.
“We want to hear what the public’s thoughts are on these proposed changes.”
A survey is now open on the city’s Get Involved website, at: www.thunderbay.ca/getinvolved. The survey will remain open until Monday, Jan. 8.
