Ville-Marie parking rates going up according to vehicle size

Parking rates in Ville-Marie haven't changed since 1989, according to Montreal Mayor Valrie Plante. The downtown borough will followthe lead of PlateauMont-Royaland make owners of larger vehicles pay more, she said Wednesday.

The cost of a new permit willdepend on engine size.

As of April 1, the least expensive parking permit will go from $52 a year to $100 and will now be reserved for owners of smaller cars and electric vehicles.

Owners of vehicles with engines of between 1.7 and 2.4 litres will have to pay $150.

For vehicles with engines ranging from 2.5 to 3.4 litres, the cost is goingup to $200, and for those with engines of 3.5 litres or more, the cost will be$250.

The borough will also be limiting the number of permits to one per person and two per residence. It says it will also be adding more parking meters to provide non-permit parkingnear local businesses.

Parking rates in the area haven't changed since 1989, Plante said.

She said even with the increase, thenew prices don't cover what it costs the boroughto maintain parking spaces:between $800 and $1,300 per space every year.

Ville-Marie is one of several boroughs that haschanged its parking fee system in the past year. Outremont recentlyeliminated free street parking altogether a move that has prompted some teachers working in the borough toquit their jobs rather than pay $100 a month for street parking.

Here is how Ville-Marie's new pricing compares to other Montreal boroughs

Cte-des-NeigesNotre-Dame-de-Grce(for six months)

• Electric cars: $25.
• Hybrid cars with enginesunder two litres: $37.50.
• Hybrid cars with engines between 2.1 and three litres: $45.
• Hybrid cars with engines of 3.1 litres or more: $60.
• Gas cars with enginesof 1.6 litres or less: $37.50.
• Gas cars with engines between 1.7 and 2.2 litres: $45.
• Gas cars with engines of 2.3 litres or more: $60.
• Second vehicle: $120 (taxes included).

Plateau-Mont-Royal (for 10 months)

• Electric cars and gas cars with engines of 1.6 litres and under: $140.
• Gas cars with engines between 1.7 and 2.4 litres: $175.
• Gas cars with engines between2.5 and 3.4 litres: $200.
• Gas cars with enginesof 3.5 litres or more: $225.
• Second vehicle: $365 (taxes not included).

VilleraySaint-MichelParc-Extension (for 10 months)

• Electric cars: $51.
• Hybrid cars with enginesunder three litres: $73.
• Hybrid cars with three-litre engines and above: $84.
• Gas cars with engines of less than two litres: $73.
• Gas cars with engines between two and 2.9 litres: $84.
• Gas cars with engines of three litres and above: $107.
• Second vehicle: price doubles.

RosemontLa-Petite-Patrie(for 10 months)

• Electric car: $61.
• Hybrid cars with enginesunder three litres: $91.
• Hybrid cars with three-litre engines and above: $120.
• Gas cars with engines of less than two litres: $91.
• Gas cars with engines of more than two litres: $120.
• Second vehicle: $292 (taxes included).

Ahuntsic-Cartierville (for 10 months)

• Electric car: $45.
• Hybrid carswith enginesunder three litres: $65.
• Hybrid cars with three-litre engines and above: $75.
• Gas cars with engines of less than two litres: $65.
• Gas cars with engines between two and 2.9 litres: $75.
• Gas cars with engines above three litres: $95.
• Second vehicle: prices double.