Port Moody rakes in $340K from paid parking in 9 months, but city still lacks data on turnover and occupancy

Port Moody’s controversial pay parking program has brought in $340,000 of gross revenue in its first nine months, according to new figures from the city — but staff are still trying to determine how the system has affected parking availability and turnover.

The new system launched Sept. 16, 2024, following council’s April 2024 vote to introduce paid parking at more than 400 spaces in five zones across the city. Three of those zones are clustered around Rocky Point Park, with the others in Suter Brook Village and along Ungless Way near Eagle Ridge Hospital.

Kim Law, acting general manager of engineering and operations, said that as of June 30, 2025, the city’s net revenue was about $51,000 after subtracting salaries for administration and bylaw enforcement, as well as other program expenses.

When council approved the program, staff said a conservative estimate for gross revenue annually would be $550,000 annually, while net revenue was expected to range between $85,000 to $200,000.

Gross revenue is currently tracking slightly lower than original annual estimate and net revenues are below the lower end of the projection. But July, August and September (which aren’t yet included in revenues) are some of Rocky Point Park’s busiest of the year.

Law noted gross revenue for June alone was approximately $95,000 before expenses and these numbers do not include fines from parking enforcement.

The city also aimed for 85 percent occupancy at peak times, a level that leaves some stalls available for the next driver and reduces cruising for parking.

However, data on turnover rates is not yet available. Law said the city is still struggling to obtain key parking usage statistics from its vendor.

“Staff have been working with the pay parking vendor on collecting the parking data but are currently running into data integration issues,” Law said in an email. “In the meantime, staff are working on collecting manual parking data to capture peak demand both within the pay parking zone and outside of the pay parking areas.”

That manual data will be used to measure occupancy rates, turnover, seasonal fluctuations and any spillover into surrounding residential streets. 

Staff plan to present a full update to council this fall, including both financial and usage statistics, along with recommendations for the program’s future.

With studies dating back to 2003, the program marked the culmination of more than two decades of consideration and discussion by successive councils regarding charging for high-demand parking. 

The April 23, 2024 decision to proceed came after council members heard staff outline potential benefits such as increased turnover for businesses, reduced congestion in busy areas and encouraging greener modes of transportation – alongside the obvious revenue potential.

Coun. Kyla Knowles, who first initiated the pay parking push in May 2023, told council she hoped the strategy would help local businesses. “We’re not trying to gouge our residents here,” she said. “I really hope this leads to increased turnover for our businesses, for our residents, and improved traffic control. So let’s give it a shot.”

The three Rocky Point Park zones have different time limits and seasonal pricing: $1.50 per hour in the off-season from September to May, and higher rates with two to four-hour maximums during the summer months when demand peaks. Other locations have year-round fees. 

The April 2024 decision passed with only one opposing vote. Coun. Haven Lurbiecki argued the fees would not meaningfully improve turnover and would instead reduce equitable access to public spaces, particularly for families struggling with the high cost of living. 

She introduced amendments to scrap off-season fees around Rocky Point and to earmark all net revenue for park improvements, but both failed.

Supporters on council, including Coun. Callan Morrison and Coun. Samantha Agtarap, said the program should run for at least a year before major changes are considered, to allow staff to gather enough data.

Law said once the parking data is available, staff will be analyzing parking occupancy, turnover, and any spillover outside of paid parking areas, before coming back to council with recommendations.