Transition highlights

  • May 20*: New ParkEngage walk-up paystations available on Gorham and Portland campuses
  • Parking rates remain the same
  • HonkMobile app remains in place for QR code scans, pre-paid parking, flex passes, and permits through June 30*
  • June 20*: New parking permits available to purchase through ParkEngage
  • July 1*: New ParkEngage signage (with new QR codes) available on Gorham and Portland campuses
  • Parking rates will change (details coming soon)
  • New text-to-pay option
  • Validate parking using ParkEngage
  • HonkMobile contract expires
  • Parking Revenue Recovery Services (which is under review) remains in place for parking lot cameras and fines
  • Lewiston-Auburn campus parking remains free of charge

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

We know the transition from HonkMobile to ParkEngage is complex. We want to make the process as easy to navigate as possible, so we’ll update this page regularly with more details and links as they become available.

  • May 1 through June 19*: Continue with HONK.
  • Starting June 20*: Purchase all new permit types through ParkEngage.
  • Current expiration date on or before June 30*: Purchase your next one through ParkEngage.
  • Current expiration date on or after July 1*: Expiration date remains valid, then purchase your next one through ParkEngage.
    • You can register up to 5 license plates per permit through ParkEngage — however, only 1 (one) vehicle may use the permit at a time across all campuses.
    • HONK permits require an update to your license plate if you drive a different vehicle to campus at any time, so we recommend purchasing a new ParkEngage permit on June 20*.
  • Vendors:

NOTE: University faculty, staff, and students must use their maine.edu email address for ParkEngage.

University students

All student HONK permits will expire on June 30, even if the expiration date listed is July 1 or after.

  • You’ll receive an email reminder to purchase a new permit 7–10 days before your current permit expires.
  • Purchase your next permit through ParkEngage using your maine.edu email address.
University faculty & staff

You can choose to keep your HONK permit until its expiration date or transfer your remaining time to a new ParkEngage permit.

  • We’ll send you an invitation to transfer your remaining HONK time to a new ParkEngage permit for free.
    • We can make the switch for you if you send us an email (recommended).
    • You can make the switch yourself if you send us an email to get a validation code for the new ParkEngage system using your maine.edu email address.
  • If you choose to transfer your remaining time from HONK to ParkEngage, your expiration date will remain the same.

NOTE: You can register up to 5 license plates per permit through ParkEngage — however, only 1 (one) vehicle may use the permit at a time across all campuses.

  • May 1 through May 19*: Continue with HONK.
  • Starting May 20*: Validation codes accepted at ParkEngage paystations and via HONK.
  • Starting June 20*: Validation codes accepted via ParkEngage and HONK.
  • June 30*: Last day validation codes accepted via HONK.
  • Starting July 1*: Validation codes only accepted via ParkEngage.

NOTE: We’ll transfer all existing validation codes from HONK to ParkEngage.

Starting May 20*: Paystations will be available in high-traffic areas of our Gorham and Portland campuses (parking on our Lewiston-Auburn campus is free).

Paystations don’t require a smartphone to use and accept credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.

Portland campus
  • Parking Garage 1
  • Parking Garage 2
Gorham campus
  • Inside the Costello Complex
  • By the Ice Arena
  • Near Bailey Hall
Review paystation instructions

Starting July 1*: Our new ParkEngage signs will include a number to text from your mobile phone (below the QR code) as a payment option for your parking session.

After you text the number, you’ll receive a text with a link.

Open the link, enter the zone number where you are parked, and follow the prompts to pay.

We heard you!

Starting July 1*: The parking lots listed below will be open to visitors and students.

These parking lots are closer to buildings than previously designated lots to better accommodate class schedules and public access. The lots will be available until 11:00 PM.

Gorham campus
  • All parking lots
Portland campus
  • Lot P1
    • Located near Luther Bonney Hall, Masterton Hall, and the McGoldrick Center
  • Lot P9
    • Located near the Science Building and the Sullivan Gym Complex
  • Lot P10
    • Located near Payson Smith Hall

Starting July 1*: Pay once to park in any designated campus lot on the same day without additional charges.

  • You must start your session before leaving your first (or only) parking space.
  • You don’t need to start a new parking session each time you move your car to a new space on the same campus.
  • Check the signs at each parking lot entrance for any restrictions that may apply to you.
  • Your parking session doesn’t carry over to another University campus.
    • For example, if you visit our Gorham campus in the morning and our Portland campus in the afternoon, you’ll need to start a new parking session for the Portland campus. (Or vice versa.)

NOTE: Permit holders must adhere to the rules and regulations assigned to their specific permit.

  • Visitors may purchase permits based on their parking needs.
  • University faculty, staff, and students must purchase a permit to park on our Gorham and Portland campuses.

Starting July 1*: You must pay for the full time you park on campus (across all parking lots) before you exit your first (or only) parking space. If you don’t start your parking session before leaving your first space, you may receive a fine.

Gorham campus

May 1 through June 30*: The first 30 minutes (a half-hour) of your Gorham campus parking session are free. To prevent a violation, make sure to start your parking session before the 30-minute grace period expires.

If you receive a fine for any time parked under 30 minutes (or a half-hour), you’ll need to start the appeal process to get it waived.

Starting July 1*: The first 60 minutes (1 hour) of your Gorham campus parking session will be free. To prevent a violation, make sure to start your parking session before the 60-minute grace period expires.

If you receive a fine for any time parked under 60 minutes (or 1 hour), you’ll need to start the appeal process to get it waived.

Portland campus

Ongoing: The first 30 minutes (a half-hour) of your Portland campus parking session are free. To prevent a violation, make sure to start your parking session before the 30-minute grace period expires.

If you receive a fine for any time parked under 30 minutes (or a half-hour), you’ll need to start the appeal process to get it waived.

Do you pay to park each time you come to campus?

  • May 1 through June 30*: Continue to use HONK or use the new ParkEngage paystations (starting May 20*).
  • Starting July 1*: Use the new ParkEngage system.

Do you use a validation code to park on campus?

Do you have a vendor permit?

  • May 1 through June 19*: Contact Parking Services to purchase your next permit.
  • Starting June 20*: Purchase your next permit through the new ParkEngage system.

New walk-up paystations powered by ParkEngage

Starting May 20*, new walk-up paystations will be available in high-traffic areas of our Gorham and Portland campuses (parking on our Lewiston-Auburn campus is free). Paystations accept credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.

A USM ParkEngage paystation with the home screen displayed on the terminal.

Walk-up paystation locations are listed below.

Portland campus
  • Parking Garage 1
  • Parking Garage 2
Gorham campus
  • Inside the Costello Complex
  • By the Ice Arena
  • Near Bailey Hall
    • Use this one if you park near Russell Hall or Corthell Hall

NOTES:

  • Portland campus: Your first 30 minutes are free
    • If you receive a fine for any time parked under 30 minutes (or a half-hour), you’ll need to start the appeal process to get it waived.
  • Gorham campus:
    • May 1 through June 30*: Your first 30 minutes are free
      • If you receive a fine for any time parked under 30 minutes (or a half-hour), you’ll need to start the appeal process to get it waived.
    • Starting July 1*: Your first 60 minutes are free
      • If you receive a fine for any time parked under 60 minutes (or 1 hour), you’ll need to start the appeal process to get it waived.
  • Lewiston-Auburn campus: Your entire parking session is free
A closeup of a USM ParkEngage paystation terminal with the home screen displayed and the New Parking button circled.

If the screensaver is on, tap the screen to get started.

Tap the “New Parking” button on the screen.

A closeup of a USM ParkEngage paystation terminal with the New Parking screen displayed and the license plate and mobile phone fields circled.

NOTE: If you don’t have access to a smartphone or mobile phone, provide your email address to get your receipt.

License plate: Include dashes; don’t include spaces, dots, hearts, stars, or other special characters.

Phone number: Enter your full, 10-digit mobile phone number (include the area code).

We don’t require both your mobile phone number and email address. However, you must provide one or the other to receive:

  • Your e-ticket/receipt
  • A link to extend your parking session
  • A reminder alert 15 minutes before your current session expires
A closeup of a USM ParkEngage paystation terminal with the New Parking screen displayed and the duration section circled.

The parking fee amount adjusts automatically based on your selection.

Your parking expiration time appears in the top-right corner of the screen and adjusts automatically based on your selection.

A closeup of a USM ParkEngage paystation terminal with the New Parking screen displayed and the payment button circled.

Your parking fee total will appear on the next screen.

We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Apply Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. Credit cards can be inserted, tapped, or swiped. A text-to-pay option is also available.

Your parking session e-ticket ID will appear on the paystation screen.

You’ll also receive a text message and/or email with your parking session details.

If you have a smartphone, you can get your parking session details by using the camera app to scan the QR code that appears on the paystation screen (tap the link that appears if prompted).

Your parking session expiration time is located in the top right-hand corner of the information you received after scanning the QR code or tapping the link in a text message or email.

A closeup of a USM ParkEngage paystation terminal with the home screen displayed and the Extend Parking button circled.
Via paystation

On our Gorham and Portland campuses, walk-up paystations are located in every parking lot.

If the screensaver is on, tap the screen to get started.

Tap the “Extend Parking” button on the screen.

Via smartphone

Open the e-ticket you received when you initiated your parking session and tap the “Extend Parking” button.

Follow the prompts to add more time to your parking session.

The paystation will prompt you to swipe or tap your original method of payment to access your e-ticket.

The parking fee amount will automatically adjust based on your selection.

Your remaining session time appears in the top-right corner of the screen and adjusts automatically based on your selection.

Your new parking fee total will appear on the next screen.

We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Apply Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. Credit cards can be inserted, tapped, or swiped.

You’ll receive a new text message and/or email with your updated parking session information.

If you have a smartphone, you can get your updated parking session details by using the camera app to scan the QR code that appears on the paystation screen (tap the link that appears if prompted).

Your new parking session expiration time is located in the top right-hand corner of the information you received after scanning the QR code or tapping the link in a text message or email.

2024 implementation schedule

Paystations will be installed and ready to use on May 20*. The full ParkEngage system, which will replace all HONK signage and systems, is expected to be operational by July 1*. Starting July 1*, we will no longer accept payment, validations, and permits via HonkMobile.

Parking updatesParkEngage datesHONK dates
Walk-up paystationsAvailable May 20*—
New permits (all types)Available June 20*Unavailable July 1*
Validation codesAvailable June 20*Expire June 30*
Current HONK permitsExpiration dates before July 1* buy new permitExpiration dates after June 30* remain valid or transfer remaining time to a ParkEngage permit
Signage & QR codesStart July 1*Expire June 30*
Text-to-pay option (QR code alternative)Available July 1*—
30-minute grace period for Portland campusOngoingOngoing
60-minute grace period for Gorham campusStarts July 1*—
Payment at exitStarts July 1*—
Multi-plate registration (1-at-a-time parking)Starts July 1*—
Pay once, park in any designated campus lotStarts July 1*—
Make sure to read the FAQs for more details.

Do you have questions about the transition process? We’re happy to help!

Email Parking Services
* Target launch dates are subject to change during the transition from HonkMobile to the ParkEngage system. Unless otherwise noted, all dates on this page are in 2024.