If you live in the Greater Montreal Area and drive a car, you will likely have paid parking on one of the more than 18,000+ "blue" parking spot multiple times. Either in the downtown area, restaurants, North, East... wherever you find a centric area, parking is regulated by paid spots. On the following article, I will talk about it and why you need to reserve some space in your smartphone for this app.
The Numbers
More than 18k spots may sound crazy, but, in fact, it is an average amount of spots on a city with more than 44,000km of streets. Toronto has more than 54,000+ spots, and New York has more than 81,000+, so it doesn't sound a crazy number for our city.
- 18,500+ On-street parking spaces
- 1,400+ Pay Stations
- 30+ Paid Parking Lots
More than 700,000+ App users
So I'll go straight to the App: You need to have it on your mobile device, install it now, if you live and move around Montreal: Android Version(Google App Store) and iOS Version(iTunes App Store).
To keep it simple:
- Automatic Sign Double-Check: This is priceless: Montreal parking signs are famous for being confusing. Many times you think you are OK, but there is an actual specificity. The App will double-check if it is allowed to park on your spot and will warn you if there is any limitation for the whole period you want to reserve.
- You Pay on the Fly: Avoid having to take out your Credit Card with a -25 wind chill. Just pay from the comfort of your "heated car." Sometimes you park, and the Pay Station is 80m in the opposite direction of where you are actually going to.
- You can repay from anywhere: If somehow you are 5 minutes away (or more) from the Pay Station, interrupting a meeting, taking an elevator down or having to cut your morning to go and pay is a real headache. With the App, you can pay from anywhere.
- Get an Alarm that the Parking Period is about to expire: Very helpful. 10 minutes before the parking expiration, you will be remembered :) It is painful to pay the parking spot to later forgot to extend 20 more minutes and have a ticket under the wipers because you just forgot.
- Receipts go to your email: For either taxes, transportation costs or own accountability, it is safer than having a small receipt around that you may lose by accident.
You can find more info on the Official Stationnement de Montreal Website.
