Those stupid automated parking machines at Paseo Nuevo. . .

[sb805er]

Need to be destroyed. It took me 10 minutes to get out of the parking lot at Paseo Nuevo because of those automated parking machines. Not because of something I did, but because of the idiotic drivers in front of me.

They either can't figure out how to use the machine and don't realize that you can swipe your credit card to pay. The machines themselves don't take cash. If you want to pay cash, there is a validation machine nearby that accepts cash. But you have to get out of your car and hold up the entire line to do so. I had 3 of the 4 drivers in front of me do this. It is so frustrating and I can only imagine the road rage some people get that is going to end up in a physical confrontation. The worst part is there is no one on duty in case the machine malfunctions. It will be very interesting to see how many fights occur come holiday shopping time.

My suggestion, boycott Paseo Nuevo shops until they fix the problem. Call, write or email them - Here is there contact info - Paseo Nuevo | Contact Us -

[Steve]

I totally agree. I have only used that parking garage once since they put in those robots, but it will be the last time. It also took at least 5 minutes to leave the parking lot and about 10 to get in. The first entrance closest to Ortega is the worst. The exit line gets backed up there and then if you are trying to go to the upper levels, you have to wait for people to exit. Word of advice, don't go to the upper levels if you see its backed up.

[vmslater]

I actually got really lucky the first time I went to Paseo Nuevo and they had those paying machines. I had just gotten back from an education class for work down in LA and it seems like all of the parking lots have them down there. If I hadn't already used one, I would have been one of those idiots holding up the line. lol I do understand that the city is saving money by not having employees work and replace them with machines, but I don't think that works well in Santa Barbara. We are a smaller town that wants personal service and not all kinds of machines like the big cities! I think they won't last long...

[zaycitozheludi]

I never park there, I prefer to park on streets, and just walk...

[Cole]

I never park there, I prefer to park on streets, and just walk...

That's what I end up doing, but sometimes it's the only option for me. But the fact that at one point when I was parked there was a line trailing all the way down into the lower levels really is telling. Sometimes it would take a car almost five minutes to move up one space.