Parking authority wants city council to test ride-sharing vehicle loading zones outside downtown arena, theatre

Ride-booking services could soon have dedicated loading zone drop-off and pickup points for the popular app-based travel option.

Winnipeg parking officials are calling for a bylaw to establish the new loading zones that would be reserved solely for ride-booking vehicles, such as those run by Uber and Lyft, pending city council approval.

“The absence of designated pickup and drop-off areas has led to confusion, traffic congestion and unsafe passenger loading and unloading practices near event venues,” Randy Topolniski, general manager of the Winnipeg Parking Authority, wrote in the report.

The city would test dedicated curbside areas for ride-booking vehicles, at first with three loading zones near Canada Life Centre and Burton Cummings Theatre.

The zones would convert 10 existing on-street parking spaces on Portage Avenue, Donald Street and Notre Dame Avenue from 5:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily for the purpose, with the zones reverting to regular parking outside of those hours.

The zones would not be open to taxis or limousines.

Within the loading zones, ride-booking vehicles would be allowed to stop for up to 15 minutes, with all other parking prohibited.

Mayor Scott Gillingham said the changes make sense, due to the increased popularity of the services.

“(In) parts of our city, we have a space for taxis to pull up, drop people off or pick people up. We don’t have the same for (ride-booking)… in our downtown to be able to let their passengers in and out of their vehicles safely,” said Gillingham.

Taxis already have six designated stands in and around Canada Life Centre and Burton Cummings Theatre, as well as five others downtown, city spokesman Adam Campbell said in an emailed statement.

Coun. Janice Lukes, chairwoman of public works, also supports the changes, which she expects would improve road safety.

“If there (are) parking spots that are full and then a (ride-booking vehicle) comes up and pulls up beside the parking spot… (stopping) in the lane of traffic and then people are running into the lane of traffic and there’s cars behind, I could see it would become a bit challenging at times. So, I think this is a much safer approach to give them a dedicated spot,” said Lukes (Waverley West).

A spokeswoman for Uber said the company is “happy to collaborate” with the city on the changes.

“Designated loading zones near Canada Life Centre (are) worth exploring to improve safety, efficiency and the overall experience for visitors and residents of Winnipeg,” Keerthana Rang wrote in an email.

In a written statement, a spokesperson for Lyft did not directly say whether the company supports the changes, noting it is working with Winnipeg’s municipal government to ensure “Lyft riders and drivers have an easy and seamless experience in the city.”

True North Sports and Entertainment worked with the city on the pilot project and also expects it to enhance safety.

Dawn Haus, TNSE’s senior vice-president of culture and guest experience said the company, which owns the Winnipeg Jets and Canada Life Centre, approached the city about the issue a couple of years ago.

The Winnipeg Parking Authority report notes New York City, as well as Winnipeg Richardson International Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport, have implemented designated zones for ride-booking vehicles.

Ticketing will be part of the city’s enforcement plan if the changes are approved. Non-ride-booking service drivers who stop their vehicles in the zones during the designated times could face a $70 ticket and could be towed. Ride-booking service drivers who stop in the zones longer than 15 minutes could also get a $70 ticket.

An existing $250 fine for failing to display required decals on a ride-booking vehicle could also be charged when a driver stops an unlabelled ride-booking vehicle in one of the loading zones.

Campbell said the signs will be in place on a trial basis for one year, if city council approves the plan. If the pilot project is deemed a success, council will then be asked to seek provincial approval, through Highway Traffic Act changes, to implement the signs permanently, he said.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

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