Toronto drivers have long suspected there’s a scam involved in parking fees — the surprise is, the drivers are in on it. It appears that many unethical Torontonians have been regularly ripping off the city’s parking machines, costing the government about $1 million annually. A glitch in the system allows people to obtain free parking permits by using empty prepaid cards.

Apparently, the machines are so eager to plunder cards that they forget to check if there’s any money left on them in the first place.

“This problem has been part and parcel of the program since we started,” says Gwyn Thomas, president of the Toronto Parking Authority. “We always knew that — under the type of processing that was available at the time and still is to date — there was this susceptibility.”
As far as solutions, Thomas notes that the machines could automatically blacklist the bad cards they find to prevent future transactions. But according to Jack Lakey of the Toronto Star, this blacklist has a capacity of 10,000 cards, which has already been reached.

Now we know what you’re thinking: everyone’s doing it. But it’s still cheating, and that’s bad. For those with stronger moral fibre, here are some completely kosher downtown spots you can park at for free or dirt cheap. (Note: these choices are based on positive past experiences; we can’t guarantee that they’ll remain enforcement-free forever. Please use your discretion.)

Central Technical School  (725 Bathurst, south of Bloor W.) Heading to a show at Lee’s Palace? This parking lot is usually fair game in the evening and less than five minutes away. Free.

Blockbuster Video (170 Spadina Av., just north of Queen W.) This parking area is right across from the Horseshoe. Yes, it’s reserved for Blockbuster customers. But after 11pm, what customers? Free.

Trinity College (6 Hoskin Ave., south of Bloor W.) Five minutes away from Queen’s Park and a short walk from Yorkville or Bloor and Yonge, this one’s a keeper. Free after 9pm.

Cherry Beach (33 Villiers, east of Cherry) Regulars say they park here frequently and pay not a dime. A five-minute walk from the Sound Academy. Free.

North Toronto Collegiate Institute (70 Roehampton, just east of Yonge) A block away from Yonge and Eglinton, people often park here for a night on the town. Free.

Rehearsal Factory (660 Richmond W., just west of Bathurst) This lot (accessed through the alley north of Richmond) is reserved for musicians, but the studio locks up after midnight. Perfect for a late night of debauchery. Free.

University (between Queen W. & College) Plenty of on-street parking spots for all. Free after 9pm.

610 Bay (north of Dundas W.) So close to Yonge-Dundas Square, it feels illegal. $5 flat rate.

28 Portland, south of Adelaide W. Right on the corner of Portland and Niagara, this lot is just steps away from C Lounge and other cocktail-circuit faves. $5 flat rate.

318 Adelaide W., just east of Spadina Ave. One of the cheapest parking spaces you’ll find near the heart of the club district. $7 flat rate.