Parking Lot at the Edinburg Campus Emilio Suarez|Vaquero Radio
Parking permits at UTRGV are going virtual and seeing a slight price increase, which will help fund parking lot maintenance.
The UTRGV Department of Parking and Transportation implemented a new virtual parking permit this semester in hopes of improving its technology.
Director of Parking Services Pablo Aguilar said the department has been trying to shift into virtual permits for a few years.
“We have been looking at virtual permits for a few years now, trying to benchmark with other universities, always looking to improve technology and to improve the process,” Aguilar said.
He also said the new method is meant to make the process easier, such as eliminating citations for placing the permit in the wrong location.
Executive Director of Parking and Transportation Rodney Gomez said the department had a parking study conducted by a consultant, who recommended implementing virtual permits.
For students, Zone 2 parking permits increased to $105 from $100.
Aguilar said the department saw the need to increase the permit rate so it can sustain and address parking lot issues, such as pot holes, broken wheel stomps and repainting lines.
Business and entrepreneurship senior Estephany Sanchez said she found the new virtual permits convenient.
“Most of the time, a lot of students have a problem with the permit being lost and all that, so I do believe that it is more convenient.”
She also shared her opinion on the new price increase for Zone 2.
“Well, that’s nothing that surprises me. Five dollars is $5, and I believe that’s OK.”
For more information about the parking permits, email parking@utrgv.edu or call 882-7051 in Brownsville or 665-2738 in Edinburg.
