Beginning this week, frustrated drivers will be able to contest parking tickets online or over the phone instead of appearing in court.
The city voted in favour of a new bylaw adjudication process last fall to tackle a growing backlog of unresolved disputes.
Of 16,000 tickets contested in 2009, only 6,000 cases were addressed in court. According to the city, the current wait time for hearings is about two and a half years.
The new process will give drivers a 14-day window to request a dispute by phone or online. Screening officers and independent adjudicators, both with the power to cancel tickets, will review the dispute and rule within 60 days.
The city will also be able to levy a $25 charge if the ticket is upheld. Unpaid fines will go to a collection agency.
Vancouver hands out almost 450,000 tickets annually for parking infractions. Roughly one quarter go unpaid, the majority of which are not contested.
More details on the new adjudication process are expected to be announced Monday morning.
