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.
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