CSU, Chico initially will roll out the program in early February at the Student Health Center and University Stadium parking lots, where it should complement existing permit dispensers and add another convenience component to paying for parking. Users will experience no increase in parking costs.

After creating an account, PassportParking users pay for their parking using a credit or a debit card securely through the app. They can also monitor parking sessions, receive alerts when their time is up, extend parking directly through the app and look at their parking history. The app is available for free through both the iTunes store and Android Google Play.

Sara Rumiano, director of Procurement and Contract Services at CSU, Chico, said the pilot project initially will be available to approximately 315 parking spaces and could expand to other lots if showing success. The trial period will extend through the end of the spring 2017 semester, and feedback will be requested from users throughout the trial period.

In this pilot program, CSU, Chico joins other universities that are embracing Passport smartphone technology for their students, including North Carolina State, Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, the University of Nebraska, the University of Florida and the University of Central Florida.

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