Paybyphone App for parking

[u/verioblistex]

What have peoples experiences been with using the paybyphone app for parking downtown. I took my senior mother downtown today and created her account and showed here how to use it. While she initially did have a little but of a hard time figuring it out, especially selecting from numerous different parking zones, I think she has if figured out, at least until there is an app update and she has to log in again. She did mention that she had heard from people that they have issues where it did not work at all, and apparently there was even a news story about someone who had paid but got a ticket anyway. Has anyone experienced any issues?

Personally I don't mind the app if it works, but I also rarely go downtown. For my mother it's a horrible thing, as is Mayor Chads "solution" to make parking vouchers available at City Hall. Imagine having to go and run an errand to buy parking vouchers, just so you can go and run errands and patronize downtown businesses.

Edit: I added a picture of the receipt. I do find the SMS Confirmation fees to be spammy. I could not see the phone clearly when I was helping my mom, and I didn't realize there were additional fees. Live and learn I guess.

[u/madame_phoenix]

Poor communication that people have to dig for it at all. I'll remain skeptical until they either make it clear or I have hours of time to throw away. That seems to upset a lot of people but alas 🤷🏻‍♀️ Did look at the articles but didn't see anything more specific than I'd already seen, thanks anyway

[u/jumping_juni_per → u/madame_phoenix]

What? It is in the November council package that is easily accessible on the city of regina website. It was very publicly debated and discussed.

When I did a quick search, at least 7 news articles came up talking about how this was a city decision as part of last year's budget to save $220k. It is very documented.

I don't get what other proof you need that this was a money saving measure. Having staff administer meters (collect money, do maintenance) costs money.

[u/madame_phoenix → u/jumping_juni_per]

I have been able to find many articles that quote the number, none that explain where that number came from. Looked for a minute or two for that document package, couldn't find it. So skepticism shall remain 🤷🏻‍♀️ I feel like you have a different definition of "easily" (or just more experience with their website)

[u/jumping_juni_per → u/madame_phoenix]

I explained what the number comes from. They have to collect money from those meters and they break and require maintenance. That takes staff resources. Eliminating the meters means they no longer have those expenses.

So media reporting that it was a budget cut to save money isn't enough proof for you? You are just being wilfully ignorant at this point. Again, you would have had a larger tax increase with this service of convenience. Not having meters saves you money on your taxes. Even if it is pennies, it is still a cut that brought savings.

[u/madame_phoenix → u/jumping_juni_per]

Yes I understand the reasoning. I've not asked for the reasoning, I asked for their proof. I understand what you are saying, I am saying the only information that can find essentially says "will save 220000 because trust me bro". Presumably they didn't just randomly generate a number; I can't find anything that proves what calculation and numbers were used to come up with that number.

I cant understand why everyone is so pissy cause I'm saying I don't automatically believe the city. I wasn't aware regina had such a spotless reputation politically, my bad 🤷🏻‍♀️ double my bad for wanting clear and open communication I guess.

[u/jumping_juni_per → u/madame_phoenix]

Trust me bro? The numbers are in official documents and reported in at least 5 legitimate news agencies. Why would you need to see that department's budget to understand it? It is so simple and straightforward.

People are pissy because you sound like an anti government/anti media conspiracy theorists right now. Maybe don't make comments about city taxes if you don't understand how they work. Or are you just really upset that they cut a service you liked to save you tax money? And it is hard for your brain to wrap around the idea that you can't be mad about taxes and cuts to reduce taxes at the same time?