Parking

Parking at UNM is perhaps one of the most difficult parts of attending classes for commuter students. There are North lots and South lots, both of which require a shuttle to get from the parking lot to campus. These shuttles can add 15 to 30 minutes to the commute time, which can easily double the time spent commuting.

There is no easy solution; the parking lots are too far from campus to offer any other solution. With the cost of gas as well as maintenance on the busses, having additional shuttles running would only increase the cost of parking permits by leaps and bounds.

While some would get frustrated at the wait, and time spent on the shuttles, or perhaps become annoyed at not having a seat and being forced to stand, I think it only fair to take a step back and see things from another perspective. Parking permits already cost well over a hundred dollars, if the number of shuttles was doubled, one could only assume that the price of the permit would double as well.

To some, this may not be a problem. They may enjoy having twice the shuttles running giving them more opportunities to get to class easier. To others, the cost would not warrant the luxury.

I rode the South Lot shuttle for several years, finally getting sick and tired of spending, on average, 20 to 30 minutes to get from my class to my car. I now ride a motorcycle and park right on campus. I even pay half the price of a South Lot permit.

The motorcycle parking at UNM is often overlooked, as perhaps many don’t notice nor ride. There are several locations across campus that are designated motorcycle parking, most within throwing distance of your classroom.

The part I enjoy the most, by time I get home on the motorcycle, I’d have just gotten to my car taking the shuttle. While in the winter the situation isn’t always great, I have ridden in 20 degree weather to avoid the shuttle.

This post has perhaps come out having several parts to it. For the longest time I despised the shuttle, and if I was still riding it, I probably still would. Perhaps at least when I took the shuttle, I had time to sit and wait, which is something that many of us can probably use in our lives today.