Thursday, May 2, 1996
By Toni Dimayuga
Daily Bruin Contributor
Commuters may be in for a surprise when they go to pay for next
fall’s parking permit.
Officials at Transportation Services are proposing a permit fee
increase for for 1996-1997, with higher prices possibly taking
effect on July 1.
The proposed price hike for yellow and blue permits, currently
$39 and $49 a month, will raise prices to $43 and $54 a month,
respectively.
Penny Menton, associate director of Transportation Services,
explained that the increase is necessary to fund the construction
of additional parking structures.
Transportation Services is also considering adding a 700-space
expansion to Lot 4 next to the John Wooden Center which would be
completed by fall 1997. Another 400-space parking structure is
scheduled for completion by fall 1998.
Menton said she believes that despite the proposed increase,
permits will still be affordable. She claimed that fee hikes are
required to "accommodate the needs of everyone."
The money will also go toward usual operating expenses and
maintaining services, such as the Evening Van Service. But
naturally, some students were against the proposed fee hike.
"We already pay so damn much for parking here, and this is
parking without adequate security  hello? How many break-ins
and how many vandalism cases do we have? And they want to raise the
fees?" asked Anita Mesri, a third-year political science
student.
Menton explained that she anticipated negative responses to the
proposal, but pointed out that there have been no price increases
since July 1, 1991, and that a 850-space addition to Parking
Structure 3 was made possible without any increase in parking fees
in 1995-96.
Other students believed that the current parking system is
already flawed. Tom Schwartz, a third-year Japanese studies
student, explained that he has had more than his share of
misadventures with Parking Services.
"My car got broken into six times in one quarter," Schwartz
said. "I also have to park in Lot 11, even though I live in Sunset,
which is a 10-minute walk. However, they were nice enough to offer
me another space in Lot 32, near Fatburger. And now they’re going
to raise the prices?" Schwartz questioned.
Currently, Transportation Services officials are attempting to
consult with student government and students about the proposed fee
hike, a phase that will continue until May 15. Menton said that
they welcome any comments, and added that they have invited the
graduate and undergraduate student governments to come and discuss
the fee proposal.
But for students like Mesri, there is nothing to debate.
"I’m really going to be pissed if they raise the shit next
year," Mesri said.
Officials propose first permit
price increase since 1991