The Sixth Street Parking Garage has initiated the use of automated cashier systems, replacing human ones, a change that could be coming to more parking structures on campus.
The garage is not the first at the University of Arizona to undergo this switch, as the South Stadium Garage became automated in 2017.
Marketing and Public Information Manager for Parking and Transportation Services Florence Dei Ochoa explained this process.
“We were able to operate that garage no problem, so fast forward two years later, we’re trying it at Sixth Street Garage,” she said.
Success of the transition will be measured by how many more customers the garage will be able to cater to, according to Ochoa. Other garages may see the same conversion in the future.
“We do hope that this pilot program at Sixth Street Garage is a success so that we could roll it out to more garages,” Ochoa said.
Although relatively new at the UA, this technology has already been implemented at other universities and airports.
According to Parking & Transportation Services at the University of Minnesota, their garages began implementing automated pay systems during the summer of 2011 through June of 2013. They stipulate that the reason for the change is so they can maintain low parking rates as well as offer a variety of programs.
PTS at the University of Minnesota also ensures that the level of security did not change. Even with the lack of attendants, there are cameras and call buttons at each exit as well as buttons on each pay machine.
The Los Angeles International Airport initiated the use of automated pay machines at a few of their garages. Keith Wilschetz, the Deputy Executive Director of Operations and Emergency Management, described the reasons for the change.
“At LAX, one of our four strategic goals is to innovate for safety, security and efficiency, and the new automated payment systems at P3 and P4 will help us do just that,” Wilschetz said in a press release.
In the event of a patron in need of assistance at the Sixth Street Parking Garage, the staff will be present to help with any sort of issue.
“Primarily, they’re on the first floor, but if someone needed assistance, most likely there’s already someone at the entrance or exit gates to help them out,” Ochoa said.
In some cases, technological advancements can be seen to replace jobs otherwise held by people. That is not the case at the UA.
“We are repurposing so that they are engaging customers more,” Ochoa said.
Workers previously holding cashier positions would now be doing other types of work. Ochoa cited disability cart service drivers, dispatch and bike valet as examples of PTS jobs outside the cashier booth that they are always hiring for.
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