Free, reserved LRT parking introduced

Free parking began Friday at LRT lots around the city.

City councilabandoned the daily park-and-ride fee in December last year after many Calgarians told the city that a $3-a-day fee is punishing for C-Train commuters.

Now, commuters can choose to pay a $70-a-month fee for access to reserved parking lots.

Calgary Transit spokesman Ron Collins said reserved parking, which starts Monday, is currently available at seven lots.

"So far we have ... over 750 reserved stalls now from folks who are interested, and we expect we'll get more," Collins said.

About 50 per cent of those seven lots will be set aside for reserved parking.

"And depending on the demand, the reserved parking will go up to that 50 per cent, and if there isn't that demand it will be shrunk down a little bit," said Collins.

The Calgary Parking Authority will be enforcing the new system.

"They'll be looking for vehicles that have not paid or have not signed up for the reservation system, and they'll be ticketed and towed," Collins said.

People who want to buy a reserved pass can go online at CalgaryTransit.com or go to the Calgary Transit customer service centre at 224 Seventh Ave. S.W.

Collins said motorists can sign up five licence plates per reservation.

"This is a good thing because it's good for the environment [and] it encourages car-pooling."

University of Calgary professor Amy Laderoute said she will start parking at LRT stations and taking the train to school.

"Now that it's free, it's definitely worth my time," said Laderoute, who usually drives and parks on campus.

The reservation fee was set at $70 a month based on a customer survey, Collins said.