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🚗 Heads Up: Winnipeg Is Removing Parking Pay Stations (Starting July 2)
Just a heads-up for anyone who parks downtown or in public lots around Winnipeg: starting July 2, 2025, the city has started removing all the parking pay stations. The plan is to have them all gone by August 31. It caught a few people off guard, but there are some solid reasons behind the move.
💡 Why This Is Happening
- The old machines run on 3G, which mobile providers are shutting down.
- Replacing them would cost about $3.6 million; keeping them running costs $1 million per year.
- They’ve had frequent issues with vandalism and theft.
As Mayor Scott Gillingham put it:
“To continue on with the parking meters is like using VHS tapes in a Netflix world.”
📱 How to Pay Now
Once the machines are gone, people can pay in two main ways:
- PayByPhone app: Works on smartphones, online, or by calling in. Over 80% of people already use this method.
- Prepaid “Scratch-N-Park” passes: Paper passes you scratch like a lottery ticket. Mark off the date/time and display it on your dashboard. Each pass covers one hour and must match your zone type (“High-Demand” or “Low-Demand”).
Where to get Scratch-N-Park passes:
- The Parking Store (495 Portage Ave.)
- City 311 counters at 510 Main St. and 170 Goulet St.
- Available starting July 2.
No smartphone? You can still use PayByPhone by calling 1-888-515-7275. Register once with your license plate, location number, and credit card—it’ll remember you next time.
Note: Private lots and the Millennium Library parkade will still use their current machines.
⚖️ Quick Pros & Cons
| ✅ Saves the city money | ❌ Not great if you only carry cash |
| ✅ Most people already use the app | ❌ You’ll need to plan ahead to buy passes |
| ✅ Less vandalism and maintenance | ❌ Could confuse those who don’t get the memo |
✅ A Few Tips to Make Life Easier
- Download PayByPhone and set it up ahead of time.
- Pick up passes if you prefer cash or offline options.
- Help friends and family who may not be tech-savvy stay in the loop.
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