The City of Prince George has launched an off-street parking app for a new and more convenient way to pay for off-street parking.
Starting today (Sept. 1) drivers can now download the Hotspot Parking mobile app and use it to pay for daily and hourly off-street parking in city lots and parkades and add extra parking time to passes through smartphones.
“Hotspot breaks down the cost and the time, and provides you with a countdown clock to when your session expires,” says Charlotte Peters, Manager of Bylaw Services at the City of Prince George.
“It will send a reminder 15 minutes prior to the expiration so if you wish to extend your time, you can do it remotely.”
In addition to contactless payment, the app can grant partial refunds on unspent parking time and refund it directly into the user’s “HotSpot digital wallet,” which can be put towards future parking passes.
The HotSpot Parking app sends a notification before a pass expires to help prevent parking fines.
Users can choose to pay either 20 cent fee per transaction, renewing or topping up a pass is free, or subscribe to HotSpot for unlimited uses at $2 per month or $20 per year.
“Most people who use the app will receive savings, even with the 20 cents transaction fee, because the unused parking time will be credited back to their HotSpot digital wallet,” Peters says.
Pay-by-plate parking machines in city parkades and lots will still be available to process credit card and coin payments.
Parking stalls at more than 10 downtown City parking lots and parkades are available for rent by the hour, for a full day at $6.00, or on a monthly basis. Parking is free on weekends, statutory holidays, and on weekdays after 5:00pm, on-street and off-street.
Downtown on-street parking remains unchanged. Drivers can park at no charge for the first three consecutive hours.
The city says those who make multiple daily trips or extended visits to downtown Prince George are encouraged to use off-street parking.
