“Stop praying ... God’s too busy to find you a parking spot.”

It’s the cheeky message printed on a New York City ParkFast billboard above a busy commercial lot in the heart of Manhattan.

Drivers in Toronto can relate. Creaking public transit services, congested streets, longer commutes, and expensive parking — Toronto has it all. But don’t worry, the same kind of sharing technology that brought you greater choice and convenience through Uber and AirBnb can potentially answer your prayers — as long as city bureaucrats and politicians don’t stand in the way.

While frustrated commuters impatiently await new transit projects, there are practical technology-driven solutions that can make a difference today. Toronto-based entrepreneurs and the parking apps they’ve created — like HonkMobile and Rover — are ready to make your life easier, save you hard-earned dollars, and lessen congestion.

How do they work?

These apps were founded on the idea that building new and costly parking infrastructure is yesterday’s thinking. People already have driveways that sit empty for large parts of the day. Businesses have parking lots. So let’s use technology to unlock their value. The apps enable the owner to post parking spaces for rent and allow drivers to search, book and pay for them using their phones.

At the touch of your smartphone screen, you could snag a reasonably priced, pre-arranged and convenient spot BEFORE you leave home. Not only can technology remove parking hassles, greater choice will pressure commercial lots to reduce prices.

Widespread use of parking apps will eliminate drivers who constantly hit the brakes while circling the block in search of parking. Research from UCLA found that from 10% to 30% of traffic in congested downtown areas was comprised of people cruising for a parking spot.

Parking-related traffic congestion is also an ecological menace. IBM Analytics have found that upwards of 20% of all vehicle pollution in major cities is caused by people looking for parking.

Rover made headlines in 2015 that attracted the attention of Toronto bylaw officials who promptly huffed that sharing parking was illegal. Bureaucrats need to stop asking “Why?” and start wondering “Why stop at driveways?”

Imagine the untapped potential of our public spaces at schools, libraries and government offices when used during predictable hours or on certain days. Churches, synagogues, temples, businesses and charities provide even more opportunity. Count the number of these spaces near your family doctor, favourite restaurants, or your place of work. Let’s free them for use by discarding outdated regulation and creating revenue for the local school, charity or congregation.

According to the Canadian Parking Association, as much as half of all condo parking inventory in downtown Toronto is currently unsold or unused.

There has been some progress. Last year, the City of Toronto’s Parking Authority launched its own parking app. While a step forward, the technology is clunky and limits its inventory to only some city-owned Green P lots.

Why not save the taxpayers some money and simply post Green P spots on the existing private sector apps instead?

The possibilities are staggering. Greater choice and more convenience. Some needed income for your local school or charity. Drivers getting to their spots and not blocking your way. And no tax bill to pay for it.

So why the jam? Let’s get on with it.

— Tim Hudak is the PC MPP for Niagara West-Glanbrook (@timhudak) and Councillor Justin Di Ciano represents Ward 5 Etobicoke-Lakeshore (@JustinDiCiano)