'Know Your Zone?' parking ban system confusing to many Winnipeg drivers

The snow plows were out in parts of Winnipeg Friday, clearing streets under the first residential parking ban of the season. But many Winnipeg drivers remain confused about the citys Know Your Zone system.

The residential parking ban system was introduced in November 2011.Even today,not everyone knows what their zone letter is.

I don't know much about it, said Frank Kriz. I just heard on the radio about it and I don't know my zone in my neighbourhood."

Kriz didn't know it when CBCs Jillian Coubrough approached him Friday, but he was parking on a street currently under the ban.

The citys alphabetical zoning system splits Winnipeg into letter categories. Then the city alerts the public which letter areas will be plowed and placed under parking bans. A simple enough concept, in theory.

• VIDEO:Parking ban frustrations
• Winnipeggerswarned to 'Know Your Zone'

But not everyone thinks the city has devised the most intuitive system.

Winnipegger Erin Oluyemi couldnt tell CBC the name of the zone where he lives and parks in. No I don't. No idea. No.

Risa Altman said she did know her zone but couldnt recall offhand.

"We do know our zone, don't ask me what it is," said Altman.

Nancy Bachinsky seemed semi-confident she knew her zone. Today I do ... it's F, isn't it?"

Many don't know theirzone

Even Coun. JaniceLukes, the City of Winnipegs chair of the Public Works Department, wasnt sure of her zone.

"No! I don't know my zone, said Lukes I don't know my zone."

Lukes said since it is the first ban of the year, many Winnipeggers probably have the same problem as her remembering their zone.

Based on the number of drivers towed or ticketed during parking bans last year, it would seem Winnipeggers have the same problem remembering every year.

During city parking bans between Feb. 15 and 17 in 2014, the city doled out 5,832 tickets and towed 1,859 drivers.

Lukes encouraged drivers to check the citys website, download the app or call 311.

Onus on you

Lukes also said the city is working on a better way of communicating parking ban information to the public. But for the time being, the onus is still on Winnipeggers to know their own zone.

To know yourzone you're going to have to take that initiative and look it up on a map to find out, she said.

So as much awareness as we can do as the city to get the word out there, look it up, know your zone. Put it on your phone."

But forKriz, it isnt always that convenient.

"It's hard to know the whole city, said Kriz. How do I know the zone. Do I have to get online every time I go visit friends?"

Friday zones under parking ban

On Friday, crews are clearing streets in zones A, F, I, M, P, Q, T, U until 7 p.m.

Plows will then move to zones B, G, J, L, N, R, V starting at 7 p.m. and work until 7 a.m. Saturday.

The rest of the residential snow-clearing schedule is as follows:

• Saturday, Feb. 14, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. E, H, K, O, S.
• Saturday, Feb. 14, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 15 D.
• Sunday, Feb. 15, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. C.

During each 12-hour shift, people in theaffected zones are advised to move their vehicles off the streets or risk gettinga $150 ticket ($75 if it's paid early) and having their vehicle towed to a nearby street.