Illegal parking getting more expensive as Vancouver hikes towing fuel surcharges
Parking illegally could soon cost you more after Vancouver city council voted to increase the fuel surcharges collected by towing companies.
A staff report recommending the city hike the surcharge to 26 per cent – more than double the current rate of 12 per cent for vehicles towed from public property – was approved during Tuesday's council meeting.
The new rate will also replace the existing 13.5 per cent surcharge for vehicles towed from private property.
"This will help support local business and the economic viability of the tow truck industry," the report said.
The increase once again brings the city's towing fuel surcharges in line with those approved by ICBC, which hiked its rate to 26 per cent in April. Vancouver previously increased its rates for towing from public and private property to match ICBC's in 2016 and 2020.
"Since then, the cost of diesel fuel, which is a significant expense for tow truck companies, has increased substantially," the report noted.
The monthly average retail price of diesel has soared from $1/litre in January 2016 to $2.32/litre in May 2022, according to the city.
When the change takes effect, illegal parkers won't be the only ones paying more. Since hired tow trucks will charge the same rate, Vancouver staff estimate the new surcharges will cost the city $50,000 more this year for the towing of publicly owned vehicles and equipment.
That additional expense is expected to be covered by "existing engineering budgets for towing," the report added.
Vehicles parked illegally on city streets and in public parks face a base impound fee of $77.46. The current 12 per cent surcharge adds $9.30 to that total, for tows of six kilometres or less, according to the City of Vancouver's website.
Under the new surcharge, which is expected to come into effect following the next council meeting on July 19, drivers would be dinged about $20.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.