Coquitlam puts out call for updated parking meters

Coquitlam is set to pay by the meter.

The city recently issued a request for proposals in the hopes of finding a company that can manage pay parking for approximately 900 spots throughout Coquitlam.

The city’s parking pay stations currently accept mobile payment from one provider. The new system is intended to allow for multiple providers, according to the RFP.

While enforcement would continue to be handled by the city’s bylaw division, the company would handle the implementation, operation, and “ongoing support of a mobile parking payment application,” the RFP stated. The contract would also apply to future pay parking stations in Coquitlam.

Discussing the issue earlier this year, Coun. Matt Djonlic said the update was overdue.

“You park, you need to pay, ‘Oh my gosh I don’t have the right app, now I’m trying to download it, the reception’s not great, I’ve got to create an account, opt out of emails,’ . . . it doesn’t make the best user experience,” he said.

The credit card chip reader in a parking meter is the “primary point of failure,” according to a staff report, which explained the plan to move to a tap payment.

About half of parking payments are made by credit card with 31 percent made by mobile app and about 19 percent paid by coin.

The coins require an armoured car and mechanical sorting at a Vancouver facility, adding between 15 and 25 percent to operational costs. However, city staff recommended keeping the coin option.

In 2025, Coquitlam collected approximately $500,000 from parking fees. The cost of providing pay parking was approximately $310,000.

After establishing pay parking in 2012, Coquitlam now operates 42 pay stations for approximately 300 on-street parking spots and 600 parking spaces in parking lots.

The upgraded pay stations are set to be ready this fall.