Spring Break
Letter: Commuter upset with URI shuttle
Issue date: 9/19/07 Section: Editorial/Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
09/19/07 - To the Cigar,
I'm not writing to the Cigar hoping to make a difference, to surprise anyone, or to magically better the parking situation on campus. However, I'm writing because I am irritated, and I'm sure most commuters will agree and nod their heads frequently while reading this.
Beginning my Tuesday morning as I typically do, I hopped into my sister's car with her to begin our morning commute for our 9:30 a.m. classes. Arriving to campus at 8:55 a.m., we decided we were early enough: Why not look for a parking spot in the church lot at the top of campus? After discovering all spots were taken, we cruised over to the Fine Arts parking lot at around 9 a.m., only to find a large sign deeming the lot full.
Frustrated that there would be no time for Dunkin' Donuts, we gave in and drove down to the Plains Road parking lot with hopes a shuttle would come ASAP. As we were pulling into a spot, a smaller shuttle arrived at the bus stop, filled up quickly, and drove away leaving me, my sister, and about 20 others waiting for the next one. "Not a big deal," we thought, "We'll just catch the next one."
However, it was 15 minutes later, and an additional 10 passengers waiting, before another shuttle came by and filled up before I could get a seat. Finally at exactly 9:28 a.m. (I checked my phone about 40 times), a shuttle picked up the rest of us and brought us to class … late. My question is, why do I pay for a parking pass? There needs to be more available spots on campus, and better yet, more shuttles running, especially in the morning. There is no reason for me to arrive to campus 35 minutes before my class is scheduled, and walk into class late because of parking.
Samantha Turner
Class of 2008
I'm not writing to the Cigar hoping to make a difference, to surprise anyone, or to magically better the parking situation on campus. However, I'm writing because I am irritated, and I'm sure most commuters will agree and nod their heads frequently while reading this.
Beginning my Tuesday morning as I typically do, I hopped into my sister's car with her to begin our morning commute for our 9:30 a.m. classes. Arriving to campus at 8:55 a.m., we decided we were early enough: Why not look for a parking spot in the church lot at the top of campus? After discovering all spots were taken, we cruised over to the Fine Arts parking lot at around 9 a.m., only to find a large sign deeming the lot full.
Frustrated that there would be no time for Dunkin' Donuts, we gave in and drove down to the Plains Road parking lot with hopes a shuttle would come ASAP. As we were pulling into a spot, a smaller shuttle arrived at the bus stop, filled up quickly, and drove away leaving me, my sister, and about 20 others waiting for the next one. "Not a big deal," we thought, "We'll just catch the next one."
However, it was 15 minutes later, and an additional 10 passengers waiting, before another shuttle came by and filled up before I could get a seat. Finally at exactly 9:28 a.m. (I checked my phone about 40 times), a shuttle picked up the rest of us and brought us to class … late. My question is, why do I pay for a parking pass? There needs to be more available spots on campus, and better yet, more shuttles running, especially in the morning. There is no reason for me to arrive to campus 35 minutes before my class is scheduled, and walk into class late because of parking.
Samantha Turner
Class of 2008
