City of Edmonton switching to mobile only payment system for parking

htsp.ca

The City of Edmonton will be making adjustments to how people will pay for parking.

Starting April 14, the city will begin removing all physical EPark machines, transitioning to a mobile-only parking payment system.

The city says residents will have several alternative options to pay for parking, including through the HotSpot Parking app, online and over the phone.

The existing machines require upgrades to allow for chip and pin payment methods and in order to upgrade the technology, all existing EPark machines would need to be replaced.

This would result in $2.8 million in capital costs, as well as ongoing additional operating expenses the city says.

To minimize the 2025 tax increase and to focus efforts on core services, Edmonton City Council approved a decision to remove EPark machines and switch to a mobile-only payment system.

“We recognize removing the EPark machines represents a significant change for some customers. The City will support Edmontonians in adopting alternative, convenient options to pay for parking. We’re doing so by installing signs with information on how to pay for EPark, taking a phased approach to machine removal, and providing 24/7 customer support via HotSpot,” said Edmonton’s general supervisor of planning and permitting Jenny Albers.

Starting July 1, the two-hour parking limit will be removed in all on-street EPark zones on weekdays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

“We heard that two hours may not be enough time to, for example, grab dinner and catch a show. Eliminating these limits in the evenings and on weekends better enables visitors to explore all Edmonton has to offer,” Albers said.

The city will offer new methods of paying for parking that can be accessed through a mobile device.

These include: