Westmount's pay-by-plate parking replacing coin meters

Westmount's throwback coin-operated parking metersare heading for retirement.

By spring, the city will move to a pay-by-plate system that will be the first of its kind in Quebec.

But starting in January, you'll be able to take it for a test driveat Westmount City Hall and theWestmount Recreation Centre.

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Unlike most on-street parking, the pay-by-plate systemwill tie parking payments to a licence plate, not a specifically-marked parking space.

"Because it's linked to your licence plate, once you've paid for your hour or two hours, it stays with your vehicle, so it travels with you in the zone," said Philip Cutler, a Westmount city councillor and the city's commissioner of public security.

"You'll be able to travel from one Westmount paid parking spot to another one without having to repay for your time. It sticks with you and makes life a lot easier."

Calgary was the first Canadian city to implement a plate-based system in 2007. Since then, several cities have moved to pay-by-plate.

Westmount approved the plan in September and awarded the contract for the new, $1.1-million system in November.

No more lines

Cutlersaid there will no longer belines on the road designating parking spots, which usually take up more space than required to properly park.

"The biggest advantage right off the bat is you get 15 per cent more spots because you eliminate the stripes on the road," said Cutler.

You'll still be able to pay by coin at stations like those set up in Montreal, if that's your preferred method. But the system will also bring modern conveniences like paying by card or mobile app.

The city hopes the change will attract people to the area and encourage them to shop at local businesses.

The one catch is you'll need to remember your licence plate.

"We have some pretty clever ways we're going to help people remember those," Cutler said.

The new system is expected to be in place by the end of April.