We are taking steps toward a greener future and investing in transit for Whistlerites.
Starting July 1, the Day Lot parking rates will increase. This will help us make some of the big moves necessary to meet our climate action targets by further encouraging us all to move beyond the car. We need to continue to expand and improve transit to make it an appealing option for more people.
The funds from the rate increase will go towards increasing bus hours, reliability and consistency.
Additionally, the cost of operating the lots overall (e.g. plowing, garbage removal, line painting) is increasing. The rate change ensures we can continue to operate the lots effectively, while also investing more in transit to reach our goals.
As of July 1, 2024, the following rates will apply:
Day Lots 1-3 | |
Hourly | $3 |
Daily | $18 |
Monthly | $108 |
Oversize (Daily) | $36 |
Day Lots 4-5 | |
Hourly | $2.50 |
Daily | $10 |
Monthly | $40 |
Busses (Daily) | $40 |
For a list of all current rates, see whistler.ca.
Raising parking rates means drivers bear the cost of personal vehicles, contributing toward helping us evolve and expand our transportation options for everyone. The alternative would be having all taxpayers bear the brunt of the cost of this much-needed climate action infrastructure.
Paying for parking also helps remind us to try and reduce our environmental footprint, which is crucial to be able to meet our GHG reduction goals by 2030 as we face the climate crisis.
By 2030, we want 50 per cent of all trips in Whistler to be by transit and active transport. This will help us get there. Personal vehicles are by far Whistler’s largest source of GHG emissions, accounting for 54 per cent of Whistler’s total emissions. Moving beyond car-based transport to active transport and increased transit use is a key opportunity to reduce transport related emissions.
We know rate increases are never a welcome sight, especially with our current high cost of living. We hope this will encourage you to take advantage of our affordable transit and active transportation options or consider carpooling when you can.
Thank you for your understanding as we make important decisions and big moves to set Whistler up for success.
If you have further questions, please see our Question-and-Answer section below.
- Why are you increasing the monthly rate?
We are increasing daily, monthly, oversize and bus parking rates in the Day Lots.
To make the big moves necessary to meet our GHG reduction goals by 2030, we need to continue to invest in transit. This rate increase will go towards increasing bus hours, reliability and consistency to improve service for current users—and for those who are looking to shift towards more sustainable transportation options.
- Why now?
The provincial government has made a large investment to help us expand transit in Whistler. To move this important work forward, Whistler also needs to invest.
- Why don’t locals get a discount?
The monthly pass is for Whistler residents and employees only. At the adjusted price, the monthly pass in Day Lots 4-5 is the same price as four days of parking, while Day Lots 1-3 is worth six days of parking. Additionally, you can add multiple vehicles to one parking pass to help with carpooling. Split between friends, family or colleagues, this reduces the cost significantly.
- What will the RMOW do with the extra revenue? What will be the specific transit implications of this?
The additional revenue will go to the expansion of bus service in Whistler. For more specific information, check out whistler.ca.
- If the day lots are making all this money, why does it need to make more?
Higher parking rates enable us to continue to expand and improve transit service and active transportation, and can encourage behaviour change, such as carpooling. These changes are important as we work to reduce our GHG emissions.
Additionally, the cost of operating the lots overall (e.g. plowing, garbage removal, line painting) is increasing. The rate change ensures we can continue to operate the lots effectively, while also investing more in transit to reach our goals.
- I already have a pass that’s valid beyond July 1. Will I be charged retroactively?
No. Any pass purchased before July 1 will be valid. Passes purchased after July 1 will be sold at the updated rate.
- Why did you increase the monthly rate so significantly? Why didn’t you increase hourly rates? Or make the daily rates a more significant change?
Until now, we have kept the monthly pass very low as a benefit to locals. The daily rate went up last year (versus the monthly pass decreased last year), so this increase is about balance.
The monthly pass is still priced below market value, especially with the option to add multiples plates to passes to encourage carpooling. For a single vehicle parking in Day Lot 4 or 5, the increase breaks down to be $0.50 per day.
- Why did you lower monthly rates last year, only to increase them now?
Last year we shifted to year-round parking rates in all our Day Lots. At that time, we temporarily reduced the monthly parking rate to give the community a break. Now as we look to invest more in transit to meet our goals, and to keep up with maintenance and operating costs, we need to increase that rate.
- Why are you trying to reduce emissions by 50 per cent by 2030?
Whistler is among the Canadian municipalities working to meet the Paris Accord goal to slow global warming by reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions by 50 per cent by 2030. Expansion and optimization of local transit is one of six key ways to reach that goal, as identified in the Climate Action Big Moves Strategy.
- Are there more rate increases planned?
We are working with Whistler Blackcomb to better understand the use patterns of Whistler’s Day Lots. In the future, we hope to provide new rate options that reduce costs for carpooling and/or higher occupancy vehicles.