Below is an email I sent to Reston Town Center after using the new parking system today for the first time.
I used your parking system today for the first time. I must say it is the most absurd and difficult parking experience I have ever encountered. I feel sorry for the girl who works there trying to explain how to use it. She was helpful in spite of your flawed system. It took me 10 minutes to enter my credit card information and email and try to guess how long I was going to be staying there. When I came back from the meeting I was late thanks to your parking system, there was a frustrated lady asking the poor girl what’s the easiest way was to pay for parking. I told the people at Potomac River Running that I would not be doing any races at Reston Town Center if it meant I had to come to that location for packet pickup or any use of your parking garage. Perhaps you could look at Northern Virginia Community College or George Mason or Reston Hospital Center or the Hyatt at the Town Center or Dulles Airport to figure out how to design a parking system that people can use. Being able to get a ticket with your parking space and pay when you leave isn't a hard concept to figure out.
It is a shame some good restaurants and businesses at Reston Town Center won't be getting my business due to the complicated parking system.
John Dever, CPA
Reston