Perth Voice Interactive

A NEW electronic parking permit at the University of WA has some students and staff claiming they’re having to pay $15.60 for all-day parking instead of the $2 to which they are entitled.

Earlier this year, UWA introduced the EasyPark system which a spokesperson for the university says was intended to “improve and enhance parking” for patrons.

According to EasyPark’s website, it’s app “holds your hand turn-by-turn” to find available parking, allows users to start the meter running while they’re sitting in their car and only pay for the time they’re there.

Engineering student Tara Martin says the university has achieved this in some ways but a little tweaking is needed. 

“It’s kind of impossible to get a spot if you come anytime past 8.30[am],” she says.

Ms Martin says she’s lucky because her schedule means she arrives in time, as do many of her classmates, but she sees late-arrivers circling the carparks in frustration.

Qualify

Ms Martin says under the old system, students had to complete a number of units and live a certain distance away from campus to qualify for a permit.

But those requirements were relaxed under the new system, leading to a “larger volume of people trying to fit into the same amount of parking spots”.

Those who can’t find a spot then have to pay $15.60 for all-day parking in a general carpark.

After hearing complaints from its members the UWA Student Guild ran a survey between April and May and made four recommendations to the university. 

In the survey more than 90 per cent of respondents said they were late to class or an appointment because they struggled to find parking near the university. 

The recommendations included constructing a multi-storey carpark on campus; establishing a student-staff consultative committee to manage the parking system; providing refunds to students who weren’t able to utilise their permits this year; and reducing on-campus parking for visitors.

The UWA spokesperson said the university carefully considered all users’ feedback but there were currently no plans to move away from the EasyPark system.

by CINDY CARTOJANO