Park N Go

I have parked here before with no issues, but over the holidays I used the park and go service which was nothing but a headache. I arrived in the parking lot at 1105, was waiting in the bus stop shelter at 1110, assuming the next shuttle would arrive around 1120. There were 2 shuttles sitting in the parking lot not going anywhere, yet I was still sitting in the bus shelter waiting. Around 1140 the shuttle drove off to the terminal without picking anyone up from the shelters. By this point there were 6 people waiting to go to the terminal, most of them attempting to catch the 1200 ferry. I called park and go 3 times and they kept saying they didn’t know where the shuttle was. The shuttle didn’t arrive until 1155 and we got to the terminal at 1200, meaning everyone on the shuttle missed the 1200 ferry. I will no longer be using park and go as it is not work the stress and messed up plans by missing the ferry.

Park N Go offers a great service. It’s way cheaper than parking in the BC ferries lot, and more convenient. No fumbling for change, no running back and forth to your car, no worries about getting a ticket for staying longer than you planned. Because you pay on the way out, you only pay for what you use.
The only draw back is there aren’t any instructions for what to do, and the staff aren’t always helpful, so for the uninitiated it might be intimidating.
To use Park N Go, you stop at the first window on your way in and ask for a ticket. The staff don’t always assume that’s what you want (which is weird…) so sometimes just stopping at the window isn’t enough, you may have to actually ask for the ticket.
Then you just park somewhere. Any stall you like.
Then go find a shuttle. The shuttles don’t have a set schedule, but the drivers are aware of the ferry schedule and they are very good at making it on time. Don’t panic. If there is no shuttle there, one will show up shortly.
On your way back, look for the shuttle in the same place it dropped you off.
Find your ticket from when you parked and pay on the way out.
Now drive away all smug that you found the best ferry parking hack and laugh at all the suckers leaving the ferry lot.

If you are leaving your car at the ferry and walking on, there is really no reason NOT to park here except for, «The Massey Tunnel was unexpectedly backed up because people in this city don’t understand how to merge and I now have approximately 7 minutes to park and make it to the terminal in a photo finish like manner.»
… though even in said scenario, I think this place may be faster then the panic park on the BC Ferries lot. Have you SEEN how far you have to run to the terminal?! IN HEELS?!
At Park N Go, a shuttle takes you to and from your car to the front door of the ferry terminal and going either way, i’ve never had to wait longer then 5 minutes to nab a shuttle and get going (with the exception of holidays, which you may have to wait for a second shuttle or sit on a strangers lap).
It’s $ 11.50 a day and they don’t overcharge you — it’s down to the hour. $ 11.50! That’s $ 7 cheaper a day then the ferry lots and you pay on the way out, so you don’t have to fiddle with stopping for cash, guestimate what ferry you’ll take home or fumble with telephone payment if you’ve missed a boat.
You get off the boat, you shuttle to your car and you pay — cash, credit or debit.
It’s painless.
Seriously. NO excuse.