IU Parking Operations encourages alternative transportation

IU Parking Operations is encouraging IU employees to consider cheaper, more environmentally friendly modes of transportation.\nParking Operations recently sent University employees its annual e-mail with information about renewing A and C parking permits for the 2008-2009 academic year. The cost of the permits increased from $300 to $312 for A permits and from $108 to $114 for C permits, partially due to the upkeep costs of the new Henderson Parking Garage, said Doug Porter, director of Parking Operations. \nThe e-mail also listed ways employees can cut down on their car use and the cost of owning a permit, such as riding a bike, taking a bus or carpooling. A ride-share program also exists where a minimum of three employees can split the cost of $114 and includes a parking space and a limited number of permits, according to the e-mail. To participate in the program, employees can e-mail parking operations at parking@indiana.edu or call 855-9848.\nPorter said before this year, the e-mail sent to employees never mentioned anything about alternative transportation. However, he said Parking Operations wanted to encourage sustainability on campus and making IU a healthier environment for students and employees. Also, with fuel prices increasing, he said he felt it was important to be involved in helping employees through difficult economic times.\n“We’ve never really emphasized these methods,” he said. “But people are talking about gas prices now.”\nEmployees can drive to campus during the winter when it is too cold to ride a bike or walk, and they can return their permit for a refund when weather allows, Porter said. He also said employees can share permits by allowing each other to use one another’s permits from time to time.\nIndiana Memorial Union employee Rachel Robertson said she lives downtown and only drives to work when the weather is bad. She said she mostly walks not only to cut down on the cost of owning a permit, but also because it is usually difficult for her to find a suitable place to park.\n“I wouldn’t walk at all if it wasn’t for the parking spaces,” she said. “If I pay money for a spot, it should be accessible.”\nPorter said he wanted IU employees to know these alternatives, even if it means fewer employees purchase full-year permits, which might cause a loss of revenue for Parking Operations.\n“We wanted to make sure people realized they don’t need a full-year permit,” he said. “We just put things out to people because it was the right thing to do.”\nBut some employees will have difficulty utilizing these alternatives. Robertson’s co-worker Ben Monticue said he lives near the Monroe County Airport, so it would be difficult for him to take a bus, walk or ride a bike from his home. To cut down on the cost of gas, Monticue recently purchased a scooter. He said he does what he can so he doesn’t have to pay a high price for gas mileage or parking spaces.\n“It’s more expensive driving to work,” he said. “Everyone else lives closer to campus.”\nMonticue also mentioned most of his co-workers do not live in Bloomington.\n“Some people live in Brown County,” he said. “Their only option is to drive.”