City removes 2-hour evening parking restriction, pushes for app use
As of July 1, the city has removed the two-hour parking restriction on evenings and weekends so customers can park for a longer duration while supporting local businesses.
The move comes after public outcry, where many said two hours wasn't long enough.
'We heard that two hours was not enough time to park, go to a show, go and actually have dinner, maybe go check out some other businesses in the area,' said Jenny Albers, acting director of traffic operations with the City of Edmonton.
EPARKAPP
Jenny Albers, acting director of traffic operations with the City of Edmonton, is seen on July 4, 2025. (CTV News Edmonton/Evan Kenny)
'In removing that two-hour time limit in the evenings and weekends, now residents have the ability to park for longer and enjoy more of the amenities in the area.'
The two-hour restriction has been removed on all EPark zones on Mondays to Fridays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Albers said the two-hour restriction is still in place during the day on weekdays to ensure parking turnover.
The city began the process of removing physical parking machines in April, switching to a mobile-only payment system.
The outdated machines would cost the city $2.8 million to upgrade to enable chip and pin payment methods.
Albers said the city's information line 311 received over 400 public inquiries regarding the machine removal in April and about 500 in June.
'For some Edmontonians who have used EPark machines for quite a lot of time, it's a significant change,' said Albers. 'However, we do have a lot of users that have already been using the HotSpot app or the QR code.
EPARKAPP
The City of Edmonton is removing parking payment machines and replacing them with a mobile-only payment method through the HotSpot app. (CTV News Edmonton/Evan Kenny)
'We understand that it's difficult to go through change for some, but overall, it's been quite a positive response.'
Tyler Wagner-Joseph said the HotSpot app has been an easier way for him to pay for parking, but it's also nice to be able to get rid of some change.
'You don't have to stand there … when I go out for dinner, I can just do it when I'm at the table,' said Wagner-Joseph. 'And it's good because it saves your payments.'
But Ward Dene Coun. Aaron Paquette said he's heard from constituents about functionality issues with the app that have been confusing for people.
'The people of Edmonton just want to use something that's functional,' said Paquette at city hall Friday. 'If they have to transfer over to this, I think it's incumbent on the organization to make sure that it's seamless, painless and that it works as advertised.'
Although there have been some issues with the HotSpot app, Paquette said city administration has been 'diligent' in making improvements.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Evan Kenny and Jeremy Thompson.
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