University transportation increased the number of permit spots and decreased pay lot spots in coliseum parking deck over the weekend to reduce deck overflow.  

David Gregory, parking services manager, said the transportation office is aware of the situation and that they are making changes in order to alleviate the situation.  

“Over the weekend we made some changes in the lot,” Gregory said. “We looked at the barricade in the pay lot and moved it so that there is only one level of pay lot spaces, reducing the number of pay lot spaces and increasing the number of permit spaces.”

Along with improvements to the deck, Gregory said that permit holders have also been given the option to exchange their coliseum deck permit for one valid in the Dan Allen eck.  “What we are doing as far as the permit holders go is we have increased the deck by 50 spaces and then we have gone and offered to permits for ones that originally went to the Dan Allen deck,” Gregory said. “We have had a fairly good response on that. Between those two there are about 130-150 parking spots and that is about what we’ve been seeing in overflow.”

Alex Teich, a senior in middle grades language arts and social studies said that she has been one of the few that has not had a problem with her coliseum deck permit.  

“I have been able to find a spot in the deck no problem,” Teich said. “Everything has been fine so far.”

Permit holders are allowed to park in the Varsity lot or the Armory lot on Western Blvd without risk of ticketing until Sept. 4, at which point the situation should be under control Gregory said.

“Students that do not have permits should consider buying Varsity lot permits that are a little less than $99 at the moment,” Gregory said. “Varsity is on the south side of the Mc Kimmon center, between Gorman and Varsity Street or they can use the free park and ride system by Carter Finley.”

Gregory said that he recommended that students who expect to use coliseum deck pay lot look into other options considering the changes made to the amount of spaces.  

“I think that the park and ride system is a great option myself because it’s free and the Wolfine is every 15 minutes and drops off on a regular basis,” Gregory said. “You can go just about anywhere you need to go easily and you get to stay off all the Hillsborough traffic.”

Not all students have been satisfied with the park and ride system however, Krysta Jones a sophomore in middle grades language arts education said.  

“My roommate and I live off campus and we use the park and ride system,” Jones said. “Sometimes there are no available parking spots so we have to park in the parking lot beside it and we have been told that we could be towed. I ride the bus back from class freaking out always worrying if our car is going to be there.”

The transportation office according to Gregory warns students to not expect to find a parking space in the pay lot fifteen minutes before their class.  

“We are going to maintain having individuals standing at the entrances for a while to deter people who do not have a proper permit for these areas and direct them to the closest area to park without a permit,” Gregory said. “So if a student is cutting it close to their class or late they should not expect to park in the pay lot and it would be better for them to plan to use the park and ride to be sure to get to class on time.”  

Gregory said he urged students to take advantage of the resources provided by the university.  

“The park and ride is just about as fast as waiting in line to get into the deck and I highly encourage utilizing it,” Gregory said. “Students pay for the bus service they might as well take advantage of it.”