A lot of people would say having a car in Ann Arbor is a bitch. It”s not unusual to see rows of cars ticketed for expired meters every morning, cars prowling residential areas for a spot or postings on www.my.umich.edu for $1,000 parking spots.
“The city is not really made for students to park in it they just don”t put any consideration into parking. You either find something from a private person or get screwed with a “Park and Ride” out in the middle of nowhere,” criticizes Engineering Sophomore Phil Bouxsein.
What Bouxsein is referring to are underclassmen”s options of purchasing a spot from a company or individual, or using a parking program such as the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority”s “Park and Ride,” which offers students free parking. Although the AATA provides bus shuttles, the parking lots are fairly far away from central campus, and many students find this inconvenient.
Bouxsein, who has a car on campus, was lucky enough to secure a spot in the driveway of a friend two blocks away from his dorm for $175 for the year. First year LSA student Andrew Patterson, however, pays $100 per month for a spot in a nearby apartment complex. “It was difficult the first couple of weeks because I parked out in Ypsilanti, and that was $20 to get a taxi ride out there. Now I have a spot that”s really close it”s expensive, but it”s really nice,” he said.
Underclassmen are not the only students that go to trouble to keep a car on campus. Engineering Junior James Shavers has a University parking permit at a lot by Mitchell Field. “It”s nothing I can just walk to parking permits aren”t that expensive, but you have to park in a lot and take a bus. I still think it”s worth it if you”re willing to put forth the effort.”
Why are these students bending over backwards to have their cars on campus? Bouxsein, who lives west of Chicago, answers, “It”s pretty much the only way I can get home.”
Patterson reasons, “I have a car because my grandparents live about two hours away, and being from Las Vegas, it”s really tough to get home.”
Shavers added: “I work off-campus, so it”s definitely worth the trouble. I think there are a lot more job opportunities off-campus.”
Each of them discussed the pitfalls of parking, and advice for others with cars. Bouxsein recalls, “I know some people last year that parked on the street when it snowed big time. The plows came by and they had to shovel their cars out before they could move it.”
Having your car buried by snow isn”t the only hassle of parking for free on residential streets. Shavers explains, “During a snow emergency, you can only park on one side of the street, so that eliminates half the parking right there. And you have to switch your car everyday. Odd numbered days, you can park on one side of the street, even days you park on the other side.”
Another technique is to play the odds. “Sometimes I park illegally for like a one hour class and just take the chance it”s definitely a gamble,” says Shavers.
As for parking at meters, Shavers concludes, “I stopped parking in the street because I got too many tickets I probably had $100 a month in tickets. It almost defeats the purpose of working if you pay that much out in tickets.” He also points out drawbacks of trying to drive to classes, “A lot of times, people try to find a spot, and by the time they do, their class is half over.”
Because weekend parking is free in some University parking lots, Bouxsein parks his car in a lot conveniently across the street from his dorm for three days of the week. “By Monday, I”ll move it back. It”s worth it because it”s a lot less of a hassle than taking the bus to Meijer or the movies.”
Patterson warns about having a large vehicle, “It”s impossible to parallel park in this town. And the little parking structures they have, it”s hard to get in and out of them.” He attributes his never getting a ticket to luck and to his care in keeping money in the parking meters.
The headaches of having a car on campus aren”t just a tit-for-tat exchange for the convenience of visiting family or getting to work.
“It”s more freedom,” says Shavers who says he”s more easily able to visit friends out of town. Pointing out the benefits of having a car compared to bus-bound students, Bouxsein says, “If I”m going out to Meijer, people always ask if I”ve got room in my car for them.” Patterson reflects, “[My friends and I] have gotten to do a lot of things. The small things, like going to Taco Bell, bowling on the weekends, the Vu. The other night, I went out to the Auto Show and Greektown. It”s really made a big difference.”
Hey, but what about the ladies?
“Yeah, [the ladies] definitely like to ride. It”s a lot better than making them walk, especially when it”s snowing down,” said Bouxsein.