CSU is Raising Parking & Violation Fees…Again
Out of my four years at Colorado State University, I luckily only had to deal with parking for the last two (my high school-age sister had my car before that). Unfortunately, once I had my car, my cocky, naive college self tempted the campus parking fates one too many times.
I remember the first time I got a ticket for parking on campus without a permit, the fine was $15. "Well," thought college-me, "I guess that's a small price to pay. After all, I was running late, and that prof. knocks tons of points off for being tardy." So I gladly payed the fine, honestly not really having learned my lesson.
Then, the summer between my junior and senior year, I decided to take a summer class to make my last year at CSU less stressful. I didn't bother buying a parking pass, since it was my sincere belief that parking restrictions weren't enforced in the Summertime. I was wrong.
So I got another ticket. As I reached to retrieve it from my windshield, I was fully prepared to pay the $15 and go on living. But that's not what happened.
The fine had been raised to $30. Okay, lesson learned. "Well-played, CSU," I thought. "Well-played, indeed. I'll just pay the $1 per hour parking fee at the meter from now on."
So I told you that very elaborate parking story to tell you this one. CSU is raising parking (and parking violation) costs again.
Starting Monday, daily pass rates will increase from $6 to $8, while meter pay stations are going from $1 per hour to $1.25 per hour, a Parking Services news release said.
Forget to feed the meter? That fine is changing from $20 to $30, while parking without a required permit will now cost you $45, instead of $30. Those who alter parking permits will face a $225 fine, up from $150.
[via The Coloradoan.]
The silver lining? Costs of commuter permits (like the one I never bought) aren't changing. So that's nice...kinda.
CSU says it's raising parking prices to help fund improvements to transportation around campus; and this includes a possible campus shuttle, something that was sorely lacking when I went there.
Bottom line: Progress is good, but it's also expensive. Don't forget to feed the meter!