Moncton's Main Street parking meters gain support

The majority of downtown Moncton merchants and landowners support metered parking on Main Street, according to a new survey released by Downtown Moncton Inc.

The City eliminated left hand turning lanes in the downtown core, and added about 80 metered parking spots last summer in a bid to draw more shoppers to the area.

Of the 400 downtown merchants and landowners surveyed, 64 per cent said the metered curbside parking has been a positive move, says the local business organization.

But David Shin, owner of Cafe C'est La Vie, on Main Street, contends the parking situation could be better.

"Only Main Street is charging meter, so I suggest one hour free parking to the City of Moncton," said Shin, noting no one pays to park at Champlain Mall or the Trinity Drive Power Centre.

Shin believes a fear of parking tickets is chasing some customers away.

"We'd better give a chance to Main Street more and more and then they will stay more," he said.

Downtown Moncton Inc. has been pushing for more on-street parking in the city.

People often complain about the lack of downtown parking, executive director Anne Basque has said.

Although there are thousands of parking spots in the downtown, most of them are for monthly or long-term parking.