Meter Maid

I got a ticket the other day in Toronto. (Maybe it was written by you) Do you have any tips to fight it off?

Asked by FridayLover almost 12 years ago

Everyone gets a parking ticket somewhere down the line, I've been there myself. The real question you should be asking is "is it worth it to fight this ticket?" You have to consider whether or not this ticket was justified, the amount of the fine itself, and if its worth it to take a day off work or send someone on your behalf to fight it for you. If the ticket was unjustified by all means fight it - it's about the principle of it. Just know that parking fines are absolute liability fines - this means if your car was there you are essentially guilty. Not guilty only means you weren't there at all or there was a mistake. If you were 5 minutes late, the signs were confusing, you only parked there for a minute, or you were getting your sick grandmother from the hospital you are still guilty. You just state that you are guilty with an explanation and hope that by pleading guilty you will get a reduced fine. If the ticket is less than 40 bucks, and it was justified it may not be worth it. Even if you were to plead guilty and get a lesser fine your looking at paying half of the set fine, missing wages from work and paying for more parking. If it's more than 60 bucks it may be worth the time, especially when you are looking at offences for fire hydrants and fines for parking in disabled spaces. It's hard to for me to give specific tips for you to fight a ticket without knowing the actual circumstances of it. My suggestion is that you can afford to take the time of work or send someone on your behalf to fight the ticket, do it. If not, it might just be easier to pay the fine. If someone does go on your behalf, make sure you understand that you can only send someone to plead guilty on your behalf or to get an adjournment so you can appear at a later date. If your ticket was due to a broken meter or machine, or the fact that you paid and had the receipt flip over you can always use the online dispute process I mentioned in an earlier post and deal with it by following the directions in this link: http://www.toronto.ca/pay-toronto-tickets/pdf/dispute_application.pdf

I don't understand. You say you don't get paid on commission, but you also say "We pay our own salaries with the revenue we make from issuing parking tickets." Isn't that a contradiction?

Asked by Sambo Z. almost 12 years ago

We don't get a commision on the individual tickets we give out. We also do not rely on tax payers to pay our salaries. The Parking Enforcement Unit itself can pay its own employees based on the revenue it brings in from tickets given out as a whole. 

Everyone on my street got a ticket for parking on the wrong side of the street at 7am on a switch over day. we don't needpermits to park on the street. when I informed the PEO about the 12pm grace period to move our cars he said tough luck. Thoughts

Asked by Torres over 11 years ago

Switchover streets can be complicated. The unit policy as of now does not state that we have to wait until noon. Last time I checked (I don't have many switch over streets where I work), I thought that the grace period was until 9 am. I would call to confirm this with the area supervisor for the division you live in. The people who have no permit at all would be ticketed right away, but those with valid permits are to be given a grace period. 7 am seems a little early to be doing switchover, but I could be wrong. Call in and get a supervisor to confirm and take down their name for future reference in case it happens again.

what time do you go on duty

Asked by Michael over 11 years ago

Parking Enforcement Officers have a set schedule. Some work monday to friday and work the same hours every day. Others work shift work which includes a variety of shifts including days, evenings and weekends. Each shift is worked for 7 straight days followed by a set amount of days off and then the next type of shift begins for another 7 days, and so on. No matter what time of day, there are always PEOs patrolling the city streets.

Hi I was wondering what the educational prerequisites are to become a meter maid ? Is a high school diploma or education required ? Or can pretty much anyone apply for the job ?
Thank you

Asked by Newbie about 9 years ago

What are the duties and responsibilities of your position? What are the skills and abilities required of successful applicant?

Asked by ash about 9 years ago

what Experience, education, and training is required?, desirable personality traits, general working conditions, and lastly most and least enjoyable aspects of the job

Asked by ash about 9 years ago