HOSPITAL PARKING CHANGES WON’T RAISE RATES FOR PATIENTS, VISITORS — BUT WILL COST MAHC $420,000 AT TWO SITES
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
MUSKOKA — Improvements in health care come at a steep cost for local hospitals.
Work began Monday to improve the parking payment systems this month at Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare’s Bracebridge and Huntsville sites.
To install the two new systems “the cost is approximately $420,000. That is being funded through sources of revenue over time, including parking revenues,” MAHC says in response to a MuskokaTODAY.com inquiry yesterday.
They include new debit and touch-free methods of payment inside and outside.
But the changes won’t cost patients and visitors any more to park, said a release Tuesday.
The say parking rates will remain unchanged at both hospitals.
MAHC is replacing its 15-year-old system that used tokens to get out.
The first changeover is at the Huntsville District Memorial Hospital this week, July 11 to 15; followed next week at the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital site July 18 to 22, weather permitting, they say in a release yesterday.
Sequential lane closures will occur through each replacement project, and those coming and going from the hospitals are asked to heed the temporary closures and exercise caution and patience around the construction.
The new parking system requires a full replacement of all parking gates, will introduce touch-free methods, and allow for debit payments at both the pay-on-foot stations in the lobby and at the parking gates at exit.
MAHC said the company operating it is Amano McGann Canada Inc.
Asked if there will be an attendant to trouble shoot problems, they said: “Yes, the new system will also have a call button to reach hospital switchboard staff at patient registration 24 hours a day for urgent assistance.”
“Replacing the obsolete infrastructure that is 15 years old with new modern-day technology will mean more convenience for our commuting public, and patients and families accessing the hospitals,” says president and CEO Cheryl Harrison.
Parking rates will remain unchanged at both hospitals, she said, with these prices still in effect:
- The first 15 minutes are free of charge;
- A $3 rate applies for the first half-hour;
- And $2 for each subsequent half hour to a per-visit maximum of $7.
- Day passes provide the user 24 hours of access to the hospital with unlimited in and out privileges for $10.
- Weekly parking (seven days) passes are $30
- And monthly (30 days) passes are $50.
EMAIL: [email protected]
28 years of ‘Local Online Journalism’
Twitter: @muskokatoday, Facebook: mclairmont1
Leave comments at end of story
SUBSCRIBE for $25 by e-transferring to [email protected]
Or go online to https://muskokatoday.com/subscriptions
