New option allows businesses to pay for customer parking

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on February 1, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

A new way to pay for parking in Downtown Lethbridge was introduced Monday through an opportunity for businesses to have the ability to pay for their customer parking.
The program is called “Business Add Time to Plate” and will allow business owners to create an account with the City of Lethbridge to pre-pay for parking, to then distribute among their customers.
“In an effort to reduce barriers and support our local economy we are introducing a new and convenient option for businesses to pay for their customer’s parking without having to use the app or leave their desk, workstation, or their appointments,” said Mayor Blaine Hyggen during a press conference to launch the program.
He said the goal is to make paying for parking as simple as possible.
“As a small business owner myself, I understand the importance of providing customers with as many convenient options as possible,” said Hyggen.
Parking Coordinator with the City of Lethbridge, Phillip Berg, said this program is just another item in the toolbox to better serve the customers of the downtown.
“We already have a multitude of payment options that are available and we just want to continue to make your parking in the downtown as simple and as easy as possible,” said Berg.
He explained that when a business creates an account with the city, the business will be given access to a website that will store the amount of time they have pre-purchased, and that time will not expire.
Berg said if they bought $10 today and they only give out 15 minutes, they can give out 15 minutes tomorrow or however long. Then at any point they can contact the city and reload that account.
He added that in order to link their payment to their customer, they will simply enter the license plate of their customer in the website.
“We would like to see that any business that is utilizing this program, that if they’re telling their customers that they want to pay for their parking, to do that as soon as the customer arrives,” said Berg.
He said Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) enforcement vehicles are traveling around, so they want to make sure time gets paid for as soon as possible to avoid any sort of violation notices being issued.
Co-owner of the Owl Acoustic Lounge, Steven Foord said he is more than happy to offer the service to his customers, especially if that means they will enjoy themselves for longer periods of time.
“They’re spending money, so I’ve got no problem spending a little bit of money to make them stay a little bit longer,” said Foord.
The program which has been a year in the making according to Berg, is now available and business owners can call 311 to reach a transportation department and learn more.

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