guest passes

[bobobb.livejournal.com]

I went online to get guest parking passes for a party I am having. I was given a ticket number, but didn't hear anything. When I called 311 I was told that I had to go to the parking clerk to get the passes because they do not process the passes online. When I went to the parking clerk they didn't have any info on my online transaction and had me fill out paperwork there. No biggie and no real extra time investment, but just wondering why they have the form online if you can't actually use it. Is it in its early stages or something and they are planning to let you use the online forms in the future? Are there any plans to let you download the passes from their website in the future? Is this common with other city online forms?

Not complaining, just want to know what the status is for future use.

Comments

[smacaski.livejournal.com]

I went online to order passes back in April, before all the new regulations went into effect, so I don't know if anything's changed, but I filled out the form and Parking received it with no problems. The only thing was that I still had to go down to the Parking Office to pick up the passes, but they were ready and waiting for me when I got there.

[in-parentheses.livejournal.com]

Any idea if there are plans to make the whole thing an online transaction? Something you could print out yourself? It sure would make this whole "everything's permit-only" thing a lot less obnoxious for my social life.

[eeyorecol.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, since you can't use a credit card at the parking office (cash and checks only), I don't think that they would be able to complete those whole transactions onlinen (at least until they start taking credit cards...)

[masswich.livejournal.com]

I don't have any real information about your specific situation but in general I have found that the City's on-line transactions have some loose ends to work out. I think they deserve a lot of credit for thinking big, but sometimes the implementation is not complete - either for funding or attention span reasons.

For example, I have entered some inquiries through 311 online, mostly because it seems easier than calling, plus I can attach pictures to the question or comment. Sometimes they are very responsive, and sometimes I just find out that my case as been listed as "resolved" even though I never heard back. It would be helpful to hear back at some point.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

I have some information--they recently changed to charging for those guest passes that used to be free. As far as I can tell they have not hooked up their pay system to their reservation system, and thus they only do them in person now. If you mean, guest passes for parties or what not.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

Sorry, it's been a LONG DAY. I mean, when they were free, you could reserve them online and all that, but now, since the whole point of charging is to make sure people come and pick them up and don't order 100 when they need 5, they make you pay first.

Could that be more convoluted? =)

[bobobb.livejournal.com]

That explains everything. They should really take that form down then since it no longer serves a purpose. Thanks for the explanation!