Long Beach City College’s new virtual parking permit is not the way to go as it now links the permits directly to students’ license plates instead of issuing a sticker to put on the windshield.
While the administration may believe the system is supposed to be more efficient, it is actually creating problems for students.
One of the largest problems with this new system is the lack of flexibility.
With the old system, students could buy a physical sticker from the school for thirty dollars and move it between vehicles if it was necessary.
The physical permit was convenient for students who share cars with their parents or siblings or switch vehicles.
The daily parking permit meter in the parking structure across from the V building on LAC campus on Feb. 18. LBCC changed their parking permit system to be a virtual permit instead of a physical sticker. (Emma Lloyd)
For students sharing vehicles, they must buy another permit for each car they drive.
The potential for mistakes increases with a digital system, and one must wonder how parking enforcement is making sure students don’t get wrongly ticketed.
One of the arguments in favor of the new system was the reduction of waste and saving money.
While it’s true that LBCC saves money on the production of the physical stickers, virtual ones place a financial burden on the students who are paying the same price for a system with fewer benefits.
If LBCC wanted to modernize the parking system, they should’ve offered reduced prices or provided more parking availability.
Although, there was no need to completely eliminate the physical parking passes entirely.
LBCC could’ve established a hybrid system, giving students the ability to choose between a digital or physical permit.
This option would have maintained the convenience of the old system while still allowing for modernization.
If LBCC truly cares about its students, they should reconsider this change and implement a more balanced solution.
Until then, students are left to deal with yet another frustrating policy that makes their lives harder.