MRU’s new parking rules and regulations
Bella Coco, News Editor |
The consistently controversial topic of MRU parking has sparked a wildfire of reactions with the announcement of new rules and regulations, and the declaration of an on-campus impound lot.
The majority of the rules and regulations brought forth by the university in August will lead to the increase of parking enforcement, which Parking and Transportation hopes will alleviate traffic congestion and increase parking space availability across campus.
It’s safe to say that the general response was less than pleased, and anonymous individuals took to @mruchatter on Instagram, a confession account – with over 8000 followers – used by and for the MRU community. While @mruchatter is not professionally associated with the university, it didn’t stop students from posting their complaints and opinions on the new parking rules.
The complaints didn’t end with the anonymous posts, and multiple people have taken to the comments to share their displeasure and less-than-satisfactory feelings towards the new parking rules and the communication regarding purchasing permits.
Some users invited the idea to protest, while some complained about the lack of effective communication brought forward by the MRU Parking and Transportation team. Supportive links were pasted in the comments of locations of cheaper parking lots surrounding campus or alternative transit routes.
One confession read, “We have to protest the parking rules, I mean what happens if we all refuse to paythey can’t ticket and tow us all, and even if they did it would cost them more money to do that than to just let people pull through and back in.”
What’s new?
The biggest changes brought to MRU parking this year is the addition of an impound lot, and the newly implemented rule of no backing into or pulling through parking stalls.
The MRU Parking and Transportation online page lists the most frequently asked questions and the corresponding answers for any students curious about the rules or the ticketing and towing process.
To help students adapt to the new rule of no backing in and pulling through, MRU has offered to give out courtesy tickets from Sept. 5 to 19 to those who back in or pull through stalls. Each individual is permitted two courtesy tickets before receiving regular violations.
For those with two or more unpaid tickets after 30 days, their car will be towed to MRU’s new impound lot, which is located in Lot A, and uses 20 stalls. The university has confirmed that the remainder of the lot will still be open for regular parking.
To get a car out of the impound lot, individuals with parking violations are required to pay a $200 towing fee, and an additional daily $15 impound storage fee. So, in short, the lowest fee an individual would pay to free their car would be $215.
To pay the impound and tow fees, one can go to the parking and transportation office located at K105 during business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
According to an online statement on the MRU Parking and Transportation page, the new rules and changes make parking more fair on campus.
“These changes make parking more equitable for the entire campus community by better supporting those who are already paying for parking. For example, if someone does not pay for parking in a permitted lot, they are taking a spot away from a permit holder who did pay for a spot,” the statement reads.
Post-secondary comparisons
Annual permit pricing for the MRU parking lots vary from $840 to $1240 for the various lots across campus, whereas at the University and Calgary and SAIT, the annual rates vary from $480 to $1200 and $200 to $875 respectively. MRU leads the pack with the highest permit pricing, but SAIT holds the highest daily parking fee at a daily max of $27.
Students tend to gravitate towards permits when paying for parking on campus, but due to limited spots and stellar demand, not every student can take part in permit parking and the permit only lots.
Transit-wise, SAIT and UofC also have more accessible routes to campus, which puts MRU behind in alternative travel and transportation methods. Both SAIT (SAIT/AUArts/Jubilee Station) and UofC (over 10 stations scattered throughout campus) have train stations leading right to campus, as well as many bus routes. MRU, however, only has one LRT route that is a 19 minute walk from campus.
Exploring other options
While some students may purchase a permit pass or endure the daily parking fee each day, there are alternative solutions to effective transportation to the MRU campus.
One LRT route leads to the Eb 45 Street C Train Station, Bus routes 9, Route 9; 306, Max Teal Douglas Glen; 13, Westhills; 304, Max Yellow Woodpark; 20, Heritage Station.
MRU also has a carpool program, which provides cheaper permits to those who carpool to and from campus on a regular basis. An application is required, and approved applicants are also eligible for the Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) Program, a program only available to registered carpoolers, ensuring anyone is not left stranded on campus due to emergencies.
For additional information on the new MRU parking rules and regulations, the student response, and on an effective parking survival guide, read MRU parking is constantly evolving: here’s how to adapt in the Features section of The Reflector.
Bella Coco is the News Editor for The Reflector.
