Extended on-street paid parking time limits – Exchange District pilot
On October 1, 2025, we increased on-street paid parking time limits from two hours to three hours (with the option for a half-hour extension) on several blocks in the Exchange District.
Why are we doing this pilot?
We are extending paid parking time limits from two hours to three hours (with the option for a half-hour extension) on some blocks so visitors can spend a bit more time in the Exchange District.
The pilot is designed to help us assess whether we can better balance the needs of visitors who require longer stays with the needs of local businesses that depend on regular parking turnover. For example, Red River College students often need more than two hours to park, attend class, and return to their vehicle. Similarly, the current 2.5-hour limit can be too restrictive for families visiting the Manitoba Museum, attending a Planetarium show, or taking in a matinee at the Theatre.
How long is the pilot?
The pilot will run for about one year, from October 1, 2025, to November 1, 2026.
The timeline for the pilot project is:
October 1, 2025 – Pilot begins
October 2025 to September 2026 – Collect on-street parking data
March 2026 – Gather input from businesses and stakeholders
Spring 2026 - Analyze initial data and determine whether the pilot should continue until fall 2026
November 1, 2026 – Pilot ends
Fall 2026 – Analyze data and evaluate the pilot
Fall 2026 – Decision on whether to make time frames permanent
Where is the pilot?
RRC Polytech Exchange District Campus Area
- Adelaide Street, east side – from William Avenue to Elgin Avenue
- Adelaide Street, west side – from Elgin Avenue to William Avenue
- Princess Street, west side – from Elgin Avenue to William Avenue
Manitoba Centennial Centre for the Arts Area
- Market Street, south side – from Main Street to Rorie Street
- Lily Street, east side – from Elgin Avenue to James Avenue
- Lily Street, east side – from James Avenue to Rupert Avenue
- Lily Street, west side – from Market Avenue to Rupert Avenue
- Rupert Avenue, north side – from Main Street to Martha Street
- Rupert Avenue, north side – from Martha Street to Lily Street
What are the time limits and when are they in place?
- On the pilot blocks, on-street paid parking time limits will increase from two hours to three hours
- The existing option to extend parking an additional 30 minutes will remain
- Visitors can park for free with no time limits during weekday evenings (after 5:30 p.m.)
- Visitors can park for free with no time limits on Sunday
- There will be no change to Saturday paid parking hours within the pilot area, as visitors can already park for up to four hours (two hours for free, combined with two paid hours).
How will we know if the pilot is successful?
On-street parking availability and input from businesses and stakeholders will help us understand the impacts of the pilot and whether it was a success. The pilot is designed to help us assess whether we can better balance the needs of visitors who require longer stays with the needs of local businesses that depend on regular parking turnover.
Throughout the pilot, we will measure impacts on parking availability. Parking availability tells us how many on-street parking spaces are open on the street. We typically aim to maintain at least two available parking stalls per block. This helps ensure drivers can find parking without circling the block. If extended time limits mean there is not enough parking turnover, the pilot would not be successful.
We are reaching out to businesses and other stakeholders in the pilot area to understand if and how the parking pilot is impacting them. We want to know what parking time limits best serve their customers and whether they have noticed any changes since the parking pilot began.
What happens to feedback?
Feedback from businesses will be used with parking data to help us understand the impacts of the pilot. We will summarize and respond to feedback. We will post the summary on this webpage. We will also let participants know what we heard and how it was considered.
Important links
Winnipeg Parking and Mobility Strategy
Extended paid parking times coming to select Exchange District blocks
Contact
Have questions or comments? Contact Lisa Patterson, Manager, Facilities & Operations at 431-293-7690 or lpatterson@winnipeg.ca.