Parking and Transit back to normal – almost

At the Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, Cobourg Council voted to start collecting parking fees downtown once the Provincial lockdown is over – currently scheduled for January 23.  They also voted to start collecting Transit fares and resume normal hours January 26.  With free parking, staff have observed that many spaces that would otherwise be used by shoppers are likely occupied by “people who have continued to work in the downtown area or are residents of the residential units above the many storefronts”.  Although parking is free, other restrictions are still being enforced – these include tickets for parking in “no-parking” areas or in front of Fire Hydrants etc.  For Transit, a significant issue is the continued closure of Victoria Hall to the public which makes getting Transit Passes impossible.

Parking Details

The Municipal Law Enforcement Department now has the “appropriate PPE and sanitizer resources to conduct coin collection regularly from parking meters and enforce non-payment”.  They also have the technology to issue parking passes online and want to “encourage that small remaining percentage of the public who are not yet using the online service, to give it a try. Patrons can also call into the Town and request help from staff to fill in the online application and those without computers are able to access one at the Library if needed.” Further “members of the public who choose not to or cannot pay by credit card can drop off payment by cash or cheque in a drop box at Victoria Hall.”

So once stores re-open (that is, when lockdown is over) and there is an increase in demand for downtown parking, then paid parking will resume.

Transit Details

Ridership on transit continues to be low.  On the Conventional service, this is expected because of limited capacity as well as reduced hours of operation. Compared to 2019 when the average daily riders on the conventional service was 224, the average from March to November was 123.  In the same period, the average daily ridership on the Wheels Service dropped from 23 to 4.3 (there’s more detail on this in the memo in the Links below).  The reduced ridership and free fares resulted in Transit revenue for 2020 dropping from the budgeted amount of $116,500 to an actual of $26,663.

Currently, there is no facility for buying Transit passes online and since Victoria Hall remains closed to the Public, when paid transit resumes on 26 January, fares may only be paid with $2 cash. Unused tickets will be accepted although “discounted tickets are being phased out and will no longer be sold.”

The good news is that the hours for Conventional Transit will revert to the previous normal hours (see Cobourg Internet Transit page – link below).

Also good news is that the Town is proceeding with a trial of Micro-Transit albeit temporarily using the existing big buses and subject to formal approval at the budget meeting on January 21.

Links

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21 Comments
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JimT
3 years ago

I bought my monthly transit pass last spring, just 3 days before fares got suspended and transit became free. So how do I collect those 27 or 28 days of service that I have already paid for?
Not a big deal, all in all.
Not really a serious question.

Last edited 3 years ago by JimT
Merry Mary
Reply to  JimT
3 years ago

That is a really good and serious question because several people are in the same situation with their unused transit passes that were purchased for March 2020.

JimT
Reply to  Merry Mary
3 years ago

Just discovered on CobourgInternet.com:

“Passes previously purchased in Febraury (sic) and March 2020 will be honoured to the end of February 2021.”

That answers the question to my satisfaction.

Jeffy
3 years ago

There is free parking downtown either in front of the Anglican church or past Hibernia Street, both on King Street. I discovered these after paying for 1h15m on a meter only to return 20m later with a ticket. Never will I plug a meter again!

Liz Taylor
Reply to  Jeffy
3 years ago

Jeffy – when was the last time you parked downtown? Free parking, covered meters are directly on King Street and surrounding streets. No fee required due to COVID 19. There is also free parking behind the King Street shops for a delineated time. Myself I have never been charged for an unexpired parking meter and I have lived here for many years. When and how often were you ticketed for an unexpired parking meter?

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Liz Taylor
3 years ago

I have never been charged for an unexpired parking meter

You are a credit to the Town. I’m proud that in my entire life I have never been charged with any parking violation, indeed any traffic violation..

Liz Taylor
Reply to  Wally Keeler
3 years ago

So am I. Commercial radio dispatched delivery, downtown Toronto commercial delivery “A” licensed drive anything in the yard. Clean license, clean abstract. U.S. long haul and started with A & B train delivery. Do we top you Wally? Why such a comment Wally? It has nothing to do with the issue. You cheapen yourself and make your other contributions less valid with uncalled for attacks.

Last edited 3 years ago by Liz Taylor
Wally Keeler
Reply to  Liz Taylor
3 years ago

 “It has nothing to do with the issue.

Then why did you bring it up, announcing “I have never been charged for an unexpired parking meter.

Oh very much Yes, you top me on this score, so I am suitably humbled and put in my place. Yes, I am a cheap man, and compared to your many comments about your multiple life enhancing experiences, I am aluminum to your platinum.

What “uncalled for attack“?

Liz Taylor
Reply to  Wally Keeler
3 years ago

Sorry – watching a movie Wally – don’t have time to argue with you as that is what you are looking for.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Liz Taylor
3 years ago

You just won the Award of the Day: for Achievements in the Arts of Condescension.

Last edited 3 years ago by Wally Keeler
Frenchy
Reply to  Wally Keeler
3 years ago

Presented by last year’s winner, Wally Keeler.🏆👏

Conor
Reply to  Wally Keeler
3 years ago

There is a good reason they have paid parking meters in downtown. It’s to help pay for the security fence that will be installed to keep those nasty “out of towners” from using the beach. 🙂

Jeffy
Reply to  Liz Taylor
3 years ago

Just once, a year and a half ago, the first time I paid to park at a meter after moving here. I don’t do lots due to uncareful drivers denting doors. I still go downtown but will not plug a meter, ever

Liz Taylor
Reply to  Jeffy
3 years ago

Are you sure Jeffy you plugged the right meter? Makes you stop sometimes looking at placement of the meters. A year and a half ago it was prior to COVID. The parking for quite some time has been free as is the parking in the Covert Street parking lot behind King. Have parked there regularly over the past 7 1/2 years and regularly on King never a problem. However mistakes can be made – you can contest the ticket. Anyone else have this happen to them?

Last edited 3 years ago by Liz Taylor
Liz Taylor
Reply to  Liz Taylor
3 years ago

have you ever had this happen to you? Looking for a reply – why down vote without an example – there is nothing to down vote about unless you are like Ben says – just mean little people with nothing else to do but destroy the credibility of this Blog.

sandpiper
3 years ago

This sounds like a just another Cobourg News Re Run
Why would anyone go downtown if not to do their Banking . work at a Bank or the Town Hall ?

Gerald Childs
Reply to  sandpiper
3 years ago

Why would anyone go downtown” I shop at All Creatures, Black Cat, Market & Smors, Somerville, Ferreri, Sparks, Nessie’s and a couple more whose name escapes me.


George Taylor
Reply to  Gerald Childs
3 years ago

we live between Cobourg & Grafton & love the downtown OTHER THAN HAVING TO PAY PAY FOR PARKING ON THE MAIN STREET! notice i said MAIN ST. would not suprise me if every parking lot we go in will have a charge?(HOSPITAL) GO TO SEE A LOVED ONE?

Karen
Reply to  Gerald Childs
3 years ago

Shop local independent business. I love shopping downtown Cobourg and will continue to do so and I believe many more people are now supporting local and will hopefully continue to do so.

Informed
Reply to  sandpiper
3 years ago

I used to go to the Plaza downtown but was often unable to drive home🙂