Free parking winds down at hospitals this month

Parking will no longer be free at Alberta hospitals by the end of the month.

Fees will resume for staff on Aug. 31, and the public will have to pay to park starting Sept. 1. Parking has been free since April 3.

“Parking fees help AHS control the flow of traffic and ensure appropriate parking spaces are available for staff and visitors, keeping our facilities accessible as traffic again increases,” reads a Thursday news release from Alberta Health Services.

In April, the government estimated not charging for parking would mean a loss of $7.6 million per month.

Parking rates at public lots are unchanged from earlier this year. Coins and cash will be accepted at parking metres, and the parking payment machines are regularly cleaned, AHS says. Using the AHS parking smartphone app is encouraged.

A charge of $2.25 per half-hour, or $14.25 for day parking is standard at most Edmonton hospitals. Passes for long-term visitors are $40 a week, or $71 a month.