March 29, 2016
In support of the City of Toronto's congestion management plan, fines for certain types of illegal parking have been increased and will take effect March 31.
Parking ticket fines will rise to $150, including for the following four illegal parking practices that add to congestion and pose safety concerns:
• blocking sidewalks
• engaging in double parking
• standing in TTC zones, and
• blocking high-occupancy/reserved vehicle lanes (HOV lanes).
"By attaching a real price to blocking lanes of traffic with illegal parking, we will reduce congestion," said Mayor John Tory, who noted that increased enforcement of illegal parking is one element of his six-point cutting-congestion plan that was introduced in 2015. "This is just one more step that we are taking to keep Toronto moving and keep pedestrians safe."
"By making these changes, the City of Toronto will help residents get to where they need to go as efficiently and safely as possible," said Councillor Jaye Robinson (Ward 25 Don Valley West), Chair of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee.
Estimates from 2008 studies for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area show that congestion costs commuters as much as $3.3 billion annually in terms of delays and increased vehicle costs while the cost to the local economy is estimated at an additional $2.7 million due to lost economic activity and accompanying job loss.
Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit
http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.
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Media contact: Steve Johnston, Strategic Communications, 416-392-4391, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
