Spring Break
Parking meters, garages raise rates
Michael O'Neill
|
Much to the dismay of students, the Department of Transportation Services increased parking meter and garage rates across the campus due to a drop in commuter parking permit sales, DOTS Director David Allen said.
As of July 1, a quarter buys only 15 minutes of time instead of 20, a dime buys six minutes instead of eight, and a nickel buys three minutes instead of four. DOTS also increased the maximum daily fee for the parking garages on the campus from $10 to $12.
Allen said he believed the measure was necessary because of lost revenue from lower parking permit sales, though he could not provide estimates as to how much extra money the higher meter rates would rake in.
He added this is the first parking meter increase in several years, a measure the Student Fee Review Committee - comprised mostly of students - approved in the spring.
Allen first mentioned his interest in increasing parking fees in January, evaluated proposed student fee increases. The Student Fee Review Board approved the increase on Feb. 21.
"Less than 50 percent of commuters drive to campus, which surprised me," Allen said after the January RHA meeting. "We've had 2,000 fewer parkers in the last five years."
But despite the fee increases being set in motion months ago, students complained they were caught unaware by the meter hikes, which were not well publicized. DOTS put signs outside the parking garages in advance, but students found no warnings near meters across the campus.
"I'm outraged because I don't have money to come up with," sophomore physics and physiology and neurobiology major Nadia Khan said. "Tuition and the cost of permits is enough in itself."
Linguistics and studio art major Leah Whitehill said it is unfair that students are being forced to pay higher fees for reasons beyond their control.
"The entire College Park area makes parking a hassle," she said. "Finding housing on campus is hard as it is. In return, that forces more kids to commute to school."
Marine science major Paul Kallgren said he already finds it difficult to save money - especially with the price of gas. Paying more at parking meters makes things worse.
"With the way gas prices are, they shouldn't increase the rate," he said. "I would think twice about paying for a parking meter because students are trying to save money for things such as their car. This won't help when you are trying to save."
Though many students said they wouldn't risk a parking ticket just to avoid the higher parking meter rates, Kallegan said he feels a little more daring.
"It depends on how long I'm on campus. If I had only one class, I would risk it," he said.
newsdesk@dbk.umd.edu
Submit a letter to the editor or post a comment below.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 7
julian
posted 7/10/08 @ 12:50 AM EST
with rising prices to park, gas, and the messed up economy students are going to find ways to get to campus with out a car. I say bring down a parking lot and build up a dorm. (Continued…)
Mark
posted 7/10/08 @ 9:42 AM EST
DOTS isn't there to help students save money, and they can't continue to provide the services they do if they don't have the money for it. Gas prices are probably the reason more students are opting to get to campus without driving; if you find the cost of paying for a car/parking so unreasonable, maybe you should follow their lead and consider other options. (Continued…)
john
posted 7/10/08 @ 10:01 AM EST
Other options??? Please.
I am a staff member and I have to pay to park my car at work. And just because I pay it doesn't mean that I am guaranteed a parking space. (Continued…)
thefrontpage
posted 7/10/08 @ 1:16 PM EST
No staff member should have to pay to park, and of course you should be guaranteed a parking spot if you work there! Gawd. And of course no one--absolutely no one--should have to pay a quarter for only 15 minutes of parking. (Continued…)
jimbo
posted 7/10/08 @ 5:08 PM EST
frontpage- I cant interpret whether you are being sarcastic or not.
I think it is atrocious what they charge faculty/staff for parking. For many it is 1% or more of their ANNUAL PAY, for the privilege of coming to work. (Continued…)
arizona insurance broker
posted 7/13/08 @ 11:18 AM EST
This economy will continue to reverberate throughout all sections of our lives. I've read where tow companies in college towns are pleading to be able to charge more to tow campus vehicles parked illegally. (Continued…)
Student
posted 7/14/08 @ 2:21 PM EST
I am now convinced DOTS is a money making machine for somebody. Transportation fees, parking fees, excessively high ticket prices, hawking parking enforcement that have driven my dad to never leave his verhicle unattended on campus even when he is allowed to park at the location(whole new story on its own). (Continued…)
Post a Comment