Dear editor,
I have been coming to Meaford for many many years to visit my parents (longtime residents). I consider myself a tech savvy person so when I went to Memorial Park on Sunday, July 23rd at 2 pm I tried to use the QR bar code to pay for parking (for years it was free!!) it didn’t work so the sign tells you to register with Honk mobile.
I didn’t get a good data service, the signal was weak by the washrooms, so I stepped out into the open and began the tedious process of registering and trying to pay. Of course I turned around and saw I was getting a ticket and tried to explain to the lady I didn’t get service and was just registering. I showed her my phone and showed her that I hadn’t even taken anything out of the car yet. She said too bad and you have a ticket, I asked her if I could dispute it and she said just pay it, it’s $50.00.
The only option to pay the ticket is in person in Meaford, drop off in the night box or mail a cheque (I don’t use cheques).
It is unacceptable that in order to pay for parking you need a cellphone with a data plan and the ability to use the internet, yet you can’t even pay it online.
Of course the ticket states “failure to pay results in your vehicle permit not being renewed”.
If one wants to go to court, you have to deliver the ticket personally back to the Meaford office.
I would also suggest The Municipality of Meaford not only install meters that accept cash/credit cards but they also allow for Interac/online payments. If someone doesn’t have the time to return to Meaford to fight an unfair ticket or to pay a ticket (and one doesn’t use cheques) it is unreasonable to include the threat of no renewal of a vehicle permit.
My point is this…do not install QR codes that don’t work and force people to share their personal information with Honk just to enjoy Memorial Park (a place where data signals are weak if you park under the trees). Meaford should be ashamed of this parking policy, it’s a disgrace. Put a meter in if you want parking revenue. It gives people an option to pay without stepping away, to get service, then getting a ticket. I won’t be back.
Sarah Ross, Mississauga
