There would be a number of disgruntled car commuters on site, with the recent State of the Waite meeting revealing that paid parking is likely to be introduced in the not too distant future.
The silver lining should be an increase in the number of people walking, cycling, taking public transport and car pooling. Surely this is a good thing?
It has to be remembered that most campuses have parking fees, and one could have seen it coming to Waite for a long time now. It is a growing campus, and we have been spoiled for a long time.
I've made this argument before: on the back of an envelope, calculate how much space a car park takes, multiply that by the going rate for Urrbrae real estate, take a modest 5% pa return on investment and you soon realise that motorists on site are subsidised something like $10 per week. Now wouldn't it be nice if cyclists and pedestrians and car poolers saw an extra $10 per week in their pay packets? Parking is not a right, it has been a privilege, and it incurs expenses that will have to be recouped.
Perhaps motorists should be a bit more constructive and lobby for better public transport, bike facilities and dedicated spaces for car-poolers. Only then will the pressure on parking be reduced, and they themselves might even be liberated from car dependence. Perhaps some of the revenue raised from parking fees can be used to subsidise public transport tickets, set up an on-line car pooling service and provide secure parking for bicycles.
What are your thoughts?
At the end of the day, paid parking provides yet another reason to get on your bikes. It's a very good wake up call, and just a little taste of things to come as the realities of climate change, lifestyle diseases, oil depletion and so on start to rear their ugly heads.
Happy cycling.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
There was an editorial about the need for more resources for public transport (including cycling) in the Messenger this week. I think the penny is starting to drop...
With all the construction on site, and loss of parking spaces as a result, it's now quicker for me to ride to work than sit in traffic and then try to find a park.
A parking fee would just make it even more practical to ride instead. Even the bus or train becomes economic.
Why not introduce parking fees at shopping car parks, liesure facilities and schools? Let's charge church congregations and visitors to lookout spots and our beaches for parking too. Maybe free parking isn't a right but it most certainly is an expectation and part of the economic decision making process. At the commencement of my 40Km drive to work there is no public transport. As far as I am concerned free parking is part of my contract of employment and would require compensating if that term were breached.
Keith
Great to have another point of view, Keith.
Yes, provision of carparking is part of the economic decision making process, however that cost is increasing and I would not be surprised if future decisions may relinquish that cost onto those who utilise the service. In the mean time, if parking is part of the contract of employment, I for one would be happy to pocket any compensation that might be due.
Along with parking fees, there will be a natural progression to toll roads, carbon taxes, congestion taxes and yearly vehicle checks that are already happening in many of our cities. Sure, there will always be a big outcry and I do sympathise with those lulled into such an unsustainable lifestyle, but people make their own decisions and have to live with the consequences and pay the costs.
And to address your inital comments, you will find that in many parts of the world (and indeed Australia) you do have to pay to park at shops, beaches, universities, lookouts (take Mt Lofty) and for anything you might be doing in the CBD. Times (and expectations) are changing.
Post a Comment