Ubisoft loses free parking for hundreds
Plateau borough is changing parking rules in Mile End so Ubisoft will no longer have access to the 300 free street parking spaces that it’s grown used to.
There’s no mention at all about encouraging these people to take public transit instead. It’s not like the Peck Building’s inaccessible. I know the Projet borough can’t make promises on behalf of the STM, but something like requesting a few more runs from the obscure 46 bus to ferry people to and from Laurier metro at rush hours might help.
Interesting point in the claim that Ubisoft is the biggest video game studio in the world.
steph 12:12 on 2012/09/23 Permalink
Not sure why these spots were ever seen exclusive to Ubisoft employees since I’ve parked there in the past too and so could anyone else. We are talking about street parking in the city right?
Kate 12:13 on 2012/09/23 Permalink
Anyone could use them, but the impression from that article is that they got swamped by Ubisoft workers every day. It’s street parking, yes.
Chris 13:23 on 2012/09/23 Permalink
The better solution would be to follow Donald Shoup’s suggestions.
Why do we pay market rates for housing, but cars can be stored for free on so much public land?
In the Plateau, demand for parking is higher than supply, and there’s no room to build more supply (even if that were a good idea). In such places, people cruise around trying to find a free spot. Studies show that in areas like the Plateau, about 1/3 of traffic is people cruising! Instead, the price of parking should be set to the lowest price that achieves an 85% occupancy rate. That way, you can go to work, shop, or visit and be assured of finding a spot, though you’ll have to pay the market rate for it. With smart meters, prices could even be adjusted depending on conditions. ex: free overnight when demand is low, expensive during xmas shopping. The price would apply to residents, shoppers, workers, and visitors equally. After all, the cost to build, repair, & snow clear a parking place does not depend on who is occupying it.
But of course with 85% of Quebec adults possessing a car, no politician, including Ferrandez, has the balls to implement this. :(
http://www.streetfilms.org/dr-shoup-parking-guru/
Lee 13:39 on 2012/09/23 Permalink
Funny that you mention the 46, I took it the other morning when google maps directed me to it. There was one person on it at 9:20AM.
Kate 23:50 on 2012/09/23 Permalink
It’s one of those routes that exists to ferry people at the beginning and end of the standard work day and not a whole lot at other times. It doesn’t run at all on weekends.
David Tighe 09:39 on 2012/09/24 Permalink
I completely agree with Chris. parking should be oriented towards maximizing occupancy while leaving a reasonable probability that an arrival will find a space. The present policy, if there is one, is absurd. I walked in Vieux Montréal yesterday: a sea of empty parking meters, cars cluttered as though for protection within the few free spaces, and the streets and shops almost empty. Why not a special Sunday rate? Note that I am a fervent supporter of public transport but it is not an option on Sundays for many suburban residents especially when the shopping centres, like them or not, are free and accessible.
Michel 09:41 on 2012/09/24 Permalink
Thanks for mentioning the 46. I was on the eastern tip of St-Viateur the other night and noticed the stop. Looked at the bus number, and saw that Laurier is the terminus. I’ve never seen the 46 at Laurier.
It’s nice to know that there’s a bus that goes in that direction, the 51 notwithstanding.
Kate 12:47 on 2012/09/24 Permalink
The 46 is one of those buses that can be useful if you catch it, but you don’t want to wait for it.