Ottawa begins replacing parking machines with 660 new Pay-by-Plate kiosks starting November 2
Installation begins Monday at city-managed lots, with on-street meters to follow through spring 2027. The new kiosks take debit tap, credit tap, Apple Pay and Google Pay, and require a plate number instead of a dashboard receipt.
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The City of Ottawa will begin installing 660 new Pay-by-Plate parking kiosks on November 2, CTV Ottawa reported on October 30, replacing the machines that now print dashboard receipts.
City-managed lots are first in the rollout, CTV reports. On-street meters follow through spring 2027. The full installation takes up to five months.
How the new kiosks work
The new kiosks work differently from the old ones. Drivers enter their licence plate number at the kiosk instead of printing a receipt to display on the dashboard. Parking enforcement officers look up the plate rather than checking for a receipt in the window. There is no paper receipt from the new machines.
The kiosks add new payment options, CTV reports: debit tap, credit tap, Apple Pay and Google Pay, alongside coins. The Pay-by-Phone app continues to work as it does now.
There are no changes to parking rates or hours, CTV reports.
Who is affected and when
The rollout starts November 2 with city-managed lots. On-street meters across Ottawa follow through spring 2027. Residents who park at these locations will see the new machines once installation reaches their spot. A driver arriving at a newly installed kiosk will need to enter their plate number instead of the old step of printing a receipt for the dashboard.
The CTV article does not name which specific lots or streets will have the machines first, or give a more precise order for the on-street rollout. The City's parking pages at ottawa.ca are the place to check for updates on which locations have switched to the new machines.
The Pay-by-Phone app, which lets drivers pay from their phone without going to a kiosk, continues to work through the transition and after it. Drivers who use that app do not need to change how they pay. The CTV article does not give the app's name or a download link.
Questions this story answers
When do the new parking kiosks start appearing in Ottawa?
CTV Ottawa reports that installation begins Monday, November 2, 2026. City-managed lots are first, with on-street meters to follow through spring 2027. The full rollout takes up to five months, so not every location will have the new machines right away.
How does a Pay-by-Plate kiosk work?
According to CTV, drivers enter their licence plate number at the kiosk instead of printing a receipt to put on the dashboard. Parking enforcement officers check the plate rather than looking for a receipt in the window. There is no paper receipt from the new machines. You will need to know your plate number when you arrive at the kiosk.
What payment methods do the new kiosks accept?
CTV reports the new kiosks accept debit tap, credit tap, Apple Pay and Google Pay, as well as coins. The Pay-by-Phone app continues to work as it does now. The CTV article does not say whether credit card swipe (non-tap) is accepted on the new machines.
Will parking rates or hours change?
CTV reports there are no changes to parking rates or hours with the introduction of the new kiosks. The change is only to the equipment and the way payment is recorded. Rates and enforcement hours are set separately by the City and are not affected by this equipment replacement.
How many new kiosks is the City installing?
CTV reports the City is installing 660 new Pay-by-Plate kiosks across city-managed lots and on-street parking spots. The kiosks replace the current machines that print dashboard receipts. The CTV article does not say how many old machines are being replaced.
Where are the kiosks being installed first?
CTV reports that city-managed lots are first in the rollout beginning November 2. On-street meters follow through spring 2027. The CTV article does not name which specific lots or streets will have the machines first, or give a more specific order for the on-street rollout.
Can I still use the Pay-by-Phone app?
Yes. CTV reports that the Pay-by-Phone app continues to work as it does now after the new kiosks are installed. Drivers who prefer to pay through their phone do not need to change how they park. The CTV article does not give the app's name or a download link.
Where can I find more information about Ottawa parking?
The City of Ottawa's parking pages are at ottawa.ca. The CTV article about the new kiosks is at ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/city-of-ottawa-to-install-new-parking-machines-at-on-street-spots-eliminating-receipts/.
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