A switch to virtual parking passes welcomed students into a new academic year. Working with University of New Brunswick and NBCC, the initiative seeks to reduce waste and provide a ‘more convenient’ approach to campus parking.
The sudden change was announced to students via email on Aug. 20 and the service became available two days later.
Along with this change, some students have been voicing their concerns about the new system.
“I just feel like it’s better when you go to UNB security and fill out the little paper,“ said Chloe Richard, a second-year student at St. Thomas University. “Anyone could take a picture of your license plate and submit it to HotSpot.”
“I think [the previous system] was more simple,” said Connor Mallaley, a second-year student. “You got to have your parking tag, and we liked it.”
The old system had students go to the UNB Security Office to buy a physical parking pass to put in their car. Now, students must pay online via the HotSpot app, which is also used for Fredericton city parking and transit.
Although it is unknown whether this change will affect the ability to get a parking spot on campus, this change comes after many students have been historically frustrated with the state of campus parking. Finding parking is often a battle that many students lose.
Related: Students fed up with campus parking
One student said that parking would be a lot more accessible if there were more parking spaces available. Sydney Smith, a fourth-year student, said that many try to park in similar areas, which makes it difficult to find convenient parking for students.
“They sell more parking passes than parking spots,” said Smith. “It can be frustrating because you don’t want to be late when you are already on campus, but you just can’t find the parking.”
The credit card payment system was suspended on Sept. 5 due to technical difficulty during the first week of classes, leaving some students unable to claim their virtual parking passes.
“I had trouble with the online system this year,” said Smith. “It would always say it could not find the credit card.”
As part of an emailed statement on Sept. 11, UNB wrote that the credit card payment system had been resolved. Students will need to re-enter their details in the system again the next time they want to purchase a permit.
“Please be aware that all previously saved credit cards have been purged from the system as part of the resolution process,” said Bill Best, UNB vice-president of finance and administration in the email.
Despite the issues the system has presented early on, some students are optimistic about this change.
“It will be easier, in a way, because students don’t need to go to UNB security to get a parking pass,” said Richard. “You can do it in your own comfort anytime you want.”
“I think once all these little hiccups get out of the way, it’ll be smooth sailing,” said Smith.
