Trip to ‘bait zone’ uncovers ripe pickings for parking authority employees

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This article was published 08/08/2016 (3657 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

At Winnipeg’s top parking traps, you don’t have to wait long until you spot somebody getting ticketed.

On Saturday, the Free Press ran a story identifying the five bait zones, pinpointed by a Winnipeg Parking Authority employee who’s calling for clearer communication. Camouflaged postings, ambiguous wording and downright contradictory signage mean officers can hand out $300 worth of tickets in an hour, he said.

On Monday, the Free Press stopped by one of those spots to talk to some of the people who pay the price.

On Market Avenue between Rorie and Bertha streets — number four on the Free Press list — Russ Shewchuk narrowly avoided getting a ticket, stopped as he was paying by a Winnipeg Parking Authority employee who warned him he’d get a ticket if he walked away.

Shewchuk was parked between two signs clearly indicating it was legal to park in the three-car space between them. However, there was a fire hydrant in the space between them, too.

Asked about the contradiction, the employee was sympathetic, but firm.

“The sign says you can park here, but…” he trailed off.

He explained the metre-long orange pole attached to the hydrant was intended to indicate that parking was not allowed, despite the signage. When he was later asked to elaborate, he said he couldn’t speak to media.

Shewchuk said the confusing signage is frustrating because it seems like a simple problem to solve.

“It could easily be fixed,” he said.

“They should change the signs to the proper distance (from the fire hydrant) and then put up signs for the fire hydrant,” he said. “They should also have the area (around the hydrant) painted in yellow just like other cities have.”

“It’s common sense,” he said. “Absolute common sense.”

On Monday, the province rolled out a new system for contesting tickets, originally unveiled by the Selinger government in 2013.

Under the new policy, Winnipeggers upset about parking tickets will plead their cases before city screening officers instead of provincial justices of the peace. City officials promise the changes will save time and boost efficiency, relieving pressure on justices on the peace and saving time and money by bypassing the trial in provincial court.

— with files by Alexandra Paul

aidan.geary@freepress.mb.ca