There’s no question that college seems like a great big money-eater for us students. There’s tuition, textbooks, student fees, housing and dining — the list just seems endless.
One fee in particular that has had students frowning from their wallets is parking. About 25,400 people have parking permits across ASU’s four campuses.
Although a parking permit is not mandatory, I must admit that I love the luxury of having my car with me on campus. Aside from the freedom I have while living away from home in a dorm, being able to hop in my car and cruise wherever I please (or even to occasionally visit home) is great.
The liberty from having my car with me while living in Phoenix comes with a price tag, though — a $740 price tag to be exact. For $740, I get to park my car two blocks away from Taylor Place. This lot has little-to-no protection from suspect people around the city, harsh summer sunrays or the (ever-so-rare) occasional hail.
Sociology sophomore Alfred Maldonado had a $425 permit to park in the Nursing and Healthcare Innovation garage, but when it expired after last semester, he began parking in a free lot nearby the campus.
“It was a lot of money, and I was only allowed in one spot,” Maldonado said.
An article from Thursday’s State Press about Fall 2011 rate increases for the West and Poly campuses because of various construction projects stirred up a frown on my face. If the goal is to make rates more consistent across the campuses, why is it so costly to park downtown?
Because parking is hard to come by here in Phoenix, as the city is a “very active downtown environment,” the campus’ permit rates are more expensive, said Michael Hegarty of Parking and Transit Services.
I suppose it’s way better than having to drop handfuls of quarters in a meter or lot every day.
The Downtown campus will not face any rate increases, fortunately, but Tempe has only one (for Lot 16 permits).
And on the rumors about the new parking lot being built right across the way from Taylor Place: It’s to accommodate guests staying at the Sheraton (boo).
As PTS is independent from state and University funding, the dollars we dish out for parking help provide alternative transportation options, including the free intercampus shuttles and reduced transit passes, said Hegarty.
“PTS strives to maintain reasonable and consistent parking rates amongst all ASU campuses while still being able to provide the ASU community a variety of transportation options through the revenue we generate through permit sales.”
It seems those of us with cars will either have to pay up or hush up. Let’s face it: Most of us don’t find joy from riding the light rail alongside various eclectic personalities, but it seems we need to make the best out of what we have.
Offer cheaper parking to Ashley at alhaines@asu.edu
