Laurie Quillian believes she shouldn't have to pay a $150 parking ticket from this summer for parking in a bus stop zone on Grande Boulevard.

She is seeking the cancellation of the parking ticket, a total review of the bylaws of the Colt Bus Stop signs, restitution of $1,000 for time and energy spent on the issue, and the reimbursement to every person that has received a $150 parking ticket.

She argues the sign is not situated in a manner to make it easily visible to motorists, the yellow warning paint on the curve didn't reach or go past the sign at the time, and the sign isn't easily recognizable.

In addition to time spent researching the issue, Quillian said she took time off work to appear at Provincial Court on Dec. 18, only to have court cancelled that day. A new appearance date has to be scheduled.

Transit coordinator Devin LaFleche told council the signs meet provincial regulations, are of standard size, and the laws she researched don't apply to Transit signage.

Yellow caution paint isn't commonly included for bus stops elsewhere in the province but since the issue arose, the town has painted the curbs at 12 bus stops in the downtown area to draw further attention to their location.

He says it also isn't common for the words "No Parking" to be included on bus stop signage.

"We did put some thought into adding no parking. We couldn't go much bigger due to the fact that there was concern from our roads team, that we didn't want to go with too large of a sign, also that seems to be the standard across the industry."

"These ones are meant to be when you get out, or you're standing there getting information on the COLT sign, as well to know you're not supposed to park there."

He showed examples of bus stop signs from several Alberta municipalities, including Edmonton, Calgary, and Airdrie transit, none of whom commonly paint curbs yellow or include the words "no parking" on their signs.

He said municipal enforcement did provide warnings during the first few months of transit but since then have been issuing tickets.

Information on just how many tickets have been issued, and if similar complaints have been received were requested by council.

Prior to information being provided by LaFleche, Councillor Marni Fedyko said she would support withdrawing the ticket.

"You've indicated, obviously, a very big issue that probably exists. I don't know if we necessarily have the ability to pay the other damages that you're looking for, but I certainly have no problem taking that ticket off your plate and not having you have to worry about that part of it."

Other councillors reserved their views until administration had a chance to investigate and provide a report.

Quillian believes the request for restitution was justifiable.

"It took a long time to go through those provincial signage laws and such to say that, you know what, those signs have to be a little more seen by the drivers and not all of a sudden didn't get a $150 ticket and have 10 days to pay it."

Quillian believes adding the yellow paint to the curb has been helpful, especially along Grande Boulevard.

"I've gone out there and told people to move their vehicles between my clients because they could get a $150 ticket, and they moved it fast."