Pay parking at hospitals is here to stay, according to the Fraser Health board.
Board chair Karen Matty was quick to dismiss any hopes that parking at hospitals could one day be free.
“We would love to provide free parking but to be clear we will never have free parking,” said Matty at the last public Fraser Health board meeting held in Langley on Sept. 24.
She was responding to a senior’s complaint that pay parking at hospitals penalizes those who are already vulnerable, often seniors or those arriving in medical distress.
“The fees we collect for parking go towards maintaining the lots, for snow removal and lighting, etc.,” said Matty.
“We encourage people to carpool to hospitals or arrange drop-off,” she said.