UNT parking permits to increase in the fall

by Arlinda Arriaga of North Texas Daily

Gas isn't the only commuter necessity going up in price.

Students and faculty who park on campus may experience up to a $105 increase for permits starting in the fall.

In a statement released by UNT parking services, parking permit "A" or reserved places, will increase by $105, and general "G" parking permits will increase by $15. The free parking at Discovery Park, formerly Research Park, will cost $36.

Biology senior Alfredo Lira said he doesn't understand why tuition and all these fees are increasing.

"I normally park at Research Park and then take the bus to campus, and now I have to pay for that," he said. "It's getting ridiculous."

According the parking services department, student rates have not increased since fall 2003, when prices were increased to match the cost of cement and labor to repave. In addition, the statement further said that higher permit rates are needed to cover the costs of providing and operating the parking program, which receives no state funding or direct university funding. Parking program fees and revenue are generally used to maintain parking lot maintenance and construction and to cover security related operations.

Joe Richmond, associate director of transportation services, said he is unsure if the parking permits' increase will encourage students to use transportation services.

"This current academic year, we expect an estimated 7 percent increase over the last year's ridership numbers," he said.

Richmond said he expects an increase next year because of fuel prices.

"To run the buses for the full month in February it cost $50,367 in fuel at $3.10 a gallon," he said.

Each month during the regular semester, more than 10,000 students ride the 27 buses that run to and from campus. Buses run more frequently in the morning, and the amount decreases throughout the day in order to conserve resources.

"I expect an increase next year due to fuel prices, but I am not sure if parking rates will increase the amount of riders," Richmond said. "Next year we expect an annual ridership of nearly 1.5 million."

During the summer semester, 2007-2008 parking permit prices are still in effect. Parking services employee Brian Davis said UNT took over the parking garage contract as of May 30.

"Currently, due to renovations, the parking garage is temporarily located behind the parking meter lot off of Welch and Chestnut Street," he said.

Lira said he is unsure where he will be parking next semester.

"Parking permit prices just adds to the pain of parking on campus." he said. "Soon they will be charging us to walk on the sidewalks."