Brewers temporarily suspend new QR code parking system due to widespread connectivity issues
Similar to yesterday's weather, the Opening Day debut of the Brewers' new QR code-based parking payment system at American Family Field didn't quite go as planned.
Many fans experienced connectivity issues, leaving some unable to pay for parking when the app wouldn't load. One fan, Tom Wojczynski of Milwaukee, showed the Journal Sentinel that his app was still trying to load 45 minutes after he and his friend arrived at the ballpark.
Following these issues, the Milwaukee-based Interstate Parking Company, which developed the new technology in partnership with the Brewers, announced the tech would be temporarily suspended at AmFam Field, effective immediately.
"The connectivity issues experienced by fans parking today at American Family Field were due to an Interstate technology configuration issue and not related to the Brewers or the MLB Ballpark App," Interstate Parking president and CEO Tony Janowiec said in a statement Tuesday. "We are working to correct the problem that lies within our app as soon as possible."
Until the problem is resolved and beginning with Wednesday's game, AmFam Field will revert to its traditional parking method where cashiers scan prepaid parking passes and accept day-of payments.
Shortly before first pitch yesterday, the Brewers announced that no parking violations would be levied against patrons who experienced Opening Day connectivity issues and could not activate their parking passes.
American Family Field's new parking system is intended to speed up the gameday entry process
The new system, an investment of hundreds of thousands of dollars, was designed to accelerate the gameday parking process because fans would no longer have to wait in line to pay or receive a parking pass from a cashier.
In the past, Janowiec said at a press conference Friday, fans often had to wait 30 to 45 minutes, especially on sold-out game days.
The new system relies on license plate reader technology and ideally allows fans to pay for parking in advance or on gameday using QR codes posted on light poles around the AmFam Field parking lots.
Not all fans experienced Opening Day parking issues
While many fans experienced problems with the new parking payment system, the process went smoothly for others ― such as Michelle Strachota of Wauwatosa, who purchased parking in advance.
"You literally just go on the app, we pre-bought (parking) ... It already has everybody's license plate numbers in, and it works super-fast," she said.
Strachota said she likes the new system better than the old one because it allowed her and her tailgating crew to enter the parking lot much earlier and faster than in previous years.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Brewers suspend new parking system after Opening Day issues
