Parking in downtown Calgary cheaper for small cars

Small car drivers and motorcyclists can now save 25 per cent on parking in downtown Calgary.

Vehicles that are 3.8 metres long or less are eligible for the short-term parking discount, which is meant to reduce Calgary's carbon footprint and save space, said Dale Fraser, the general manager of the Calgary Parking Authority.

"We ultimately want to reward people that take less space. That's a good thing because we can park more vehicles downtown. More vehicles mean more people shopping and doing business downtown and ultimately everyone wins," he said.

Drivers mustknow vehicle length

The Smart Car, Toyoto Echo, Mini-Cooper, Geo Metro, Suzuki Swift and Honda Insight are alleligible for the discount.

Signing up for the discount requires going online to sign up for a ParkPlus cellphone account, putting a minimum $25 into the account and registering the small vehicle.

"It's only fair. Smaller vehicle should pay less, takes up less room," said motorcyclist Neil Buller.

Drivers also have to get out the measuring tape.

The Calgary Parking Authority has technology that can "instantly" measure the length of a vehicle when they drive by with their mobile enforcement units, said Fraser.

"We have found some Calgarians who have claimed to be a small vehicle operator, when in fact they're not eligible. Those individuals have had to make restitution for the additional 25 per cent reduction that they claimed."

Carolyn de Coster, who drives a Toyota Echo, said she probably won't take advantage of the discount because it is too complicated to sign up.

"I think that if it was an easier process.Like you put in your licence plate and your licence plate is attached usually to a type vehicle thenthat would make it easier."

As of Jan. 1, hourly rates for street parking downtown increased by $1 to as much as $5 an hour, depending on where drivers park. For parkades, the rate increased to $6.50 from $6 an hour, and the monthly parking rate is now as high as $465, up from $428.