Fluke?

Last night I parked in downtown Montreal at around 7pm, and totally forgot to pay the new electronic parking meter.

No ticket !

If downtown Montreal, and other Canadian cities allow free parking for hybrids in city-owned parking lots and street meters, I'm all for that.

Me too i always get ticketed when i park in toronto i just have bad luck that way. Now i was happy i got a white car becuase the ontario plates are white i don't know if i would want a green coloured plate on my car maybe if it was silver pine in colour. But if that is what gets the perks than i will do whatever it takes. I just bought my plates yesterday though will they give them out for free to upgrade plates or no?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ranmandx @ Aug 8 2007, 04:32 PM) [snapback]492599[/snapback]</div>

I would hope that they would issue the green plates for free to the qualifying vehicles, but even if there is a (reasonable) fee, I wouldn't mind so much paying it to get those privileges.

I do like the idea of a specially coloured plate rather than the yellow stickers that California uses!

Sweet! I hope this makes its way to Alberta some day.

it'd be nice to have free parking in San Francisco..

Its great to hear the Ontario government is doing more to promote purchasing smaller,more fuel efficient vehicles.

Call me weird, but I don't necessarily agree with fuel efficient vehicles having free reign on the HOV lanes. I agree driving a more fuel efficient vehicle is about the same for the environment (my own subjective view) as a large car filled with many passengers; But that defeats the purpose of a high occupancy vehicle lane. I believe the purpose of that lane is to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and promote car sharing/pooling. If we all still drive as a single occupant vehicle, then we really haven't learned much more. Carpooling would help take vehicles off the road and would ease (probably not remove) rush hour gridlock

On the lighter side, I'll take free/discounted parking anytime

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Aug 9 2007, 12:56 AM) [snapback]492855[/snapback]</div>

I've been to IKEA once since they implemented the 'green' parking, but didn't use the spot because I couldn't immediately find it. I found a good spot anyway, and once I walked to the front door, I saw the two green spots (which were available) a little further down. Not exactly "wheelchair"-close to the door, but decent parking for a weekend when the lot may be full.

I heard the local Toronto radio personalities criticizing this announcement from yesterday as "another perk for the rich", since (in their minds) those are the only people who buy hybrids. Granted, the Prius is priced significantly higher in Canada, though if compared to a comparable mid-size sedan and feature-set, the difference is not so big, especially once the tax incentives are factored in. In Canada, the Hybrid Camry is a no-brainer price-wise, as the difference between the SE and the Hybrid is only $1800 (after $3500 in tax credits), and the Hybrid gives extras like dual zone climate control and the dimming rear view mirror!

Anyway, I know I'm preaching to the choir here... at least the co-host was somewhat defending the program, arguing that it will at least make people more seriously consider the 'green' alternative when changing vehicles. I felt like calling in to voice my opinion, but I felt like that would have been a losing battle and I was driving in rush hour traffic at the time. <_<

(sigh)

Sheesh, I just ordered personalized Ontario plates...guess I should have waited eh? Or do you think the green plates will accommodate our existing plate ID? What a great idea!!!

MJ

Not to be left out:
I suspect Manitoba is also considering to issue similar plates for greener vehicles. The political climate is very conducive to that type of stuff and anyone owning one or more hybrids is enjoying a growing number of long deserved privileges. I definitely like the concept of a unique license plate it is a good start beyond the $4000 credit.

With regards to Alberta:
Maybe I am very wrong but I find it very unlikely that the Alberta government will match most the other Canadian provinces in these matters. This continues to be a heartbreak issue for many friends of mine in Alberta, but then again, I also heard they are the truck capital of Canada (I gotta double check on that one of these days).

Cheers;

MSantos