While fans might still be on edge from the Raptors‘ nail-biter of a victory last night, they can breathe a sigh of relief when it comes to parking at the next home game.
Parking Panda, the Baltimore-based on-demand parking app has recently begun expanding into Canada, starting with Toronto. The service has been live in the GTA for a few months, and this week announced a partnership with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.
For fans, this means they’ll be able to look online and reserve a parking space in advance near the Air Canada Centre. Users pay online ahead of time, and are sent a confirmation code which guarantees them a parking spot at the venue. “The idea has always been the same, trying to make parking less painful,” says Adam Zilberbaum, co-founder and CEO of Parking Panda.
The spaces available on Parking Panda are either listed by people not using their personal spaces, or by garages looking to fill excess space. The parking fee includes a rate for the space as well as a small reservation cost. Depending on the time and location, Parking Panda claims to offer substantial discounts from conventional parking.
Founded in 2011, the service has grown to be a major presence in over 40 North-American cities. While Toronto is its first Canadian venture, Zilberbaum says they’re very excited about the Canadian market and hope to eventually expand across the country.
Parking Panda is also trying out a new feature called ‘Panda Scan.’ It allows users to enter and exit the facility by scanning their online confirmation on a parking panda machine. “It’s a completely seamless and automated experience,” says Zilberbaum. It will specify on the website which locations have the Panda Scan system set up already.
Parking Panda locations are now available in various locations around Toronto’s downtown core. See below for a video about Panda Scan: