Have a parking gripe? A new Montreal phone line is now available 24/7
Montreal's mobility agency is now accepting all citizens' parking complaints after launching a new phone line that can be reached around the clock.
Until now, people had to call 911 to register a complaint with the police, whether it was about a car parked in a reserved bus or cycling lane or any other issue or obstruction.
Now they can call 514-868-3737 to reach what the Agence de mobilité durable is calling a "customer relations centre" to request help from parking agents. The agents will help prevent problems and intervene when they arise, the agency's website explains.
Directing all the calls to one location is meant to improve efficiency and decision-making as the city employees make the rounds, inspecting parking lots and reserved lanes.
The agency reports that over the last year it has increased its surveillance of bike paths and reserved lanes to improve traffic flow and safety.
"From January 1 to April 30, 2023, 742 statements of offence were issued on bike paths, compared with 459 during the same period last year," according to a statement.
The agents will also be expected to lend support when parking payment issues arise at payment stations or while using the parking app.
- Listen on CJAD 800 Radio: New Montreal hotline allows residents to report illegally parked cars
The agency says there may be some waits for service as it fully transitions to the new system. Staff training is still underway.
Montreal police received more than 100,000 parking-related annually when they were partly responsible for the service, so the agency said it has had to expand its team to meet the demand.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.