Parking at the University of Wyoming has long been contentious. Recently introduced changes will likely further complicate the issue. In May 2022, the UW Parking and Transit Services rolled out a preview of a promised revamp of the parking system at UW. The official announcement noted that “A new parking permit allocation strategy based on supply and demand was recommended as part of the 2018 master transportation and parking plan.”
The new structure is based on projected demand for parking in different areas of campus. For one, the names of parking permits have been changed from being named after a letter to being named after colors. Some parking areas will also now be divided into zones. Each parking permit will only be valid for the zone in which it is purchased. Parking and Transit Services reports that they hope to provide “permit holders with an expectation that they will be able to find a parking space in the area purchased.”
Paul Kunkel, director of UW Transportation Services, echoed the sentiment, saying “The changes will hopefully allow for less traffic and congestion, and an easier commute for individuals in those parking areas.”
Despite these hopes, initial conversations with students regarding their opinions of parking on campus were less positive. A senior majoring in accounting and finance who wished to remain anonymous reported that “I ride the bus because I have to because parking is the worst.” Another student, who similarly wished to remain anonymous, put it more succinctly. “Parking sucks. It’s terrible. And they’re taking away some of the only parking on campus in the spring.”
The student was alluding to the fact that the Union Parking Lot is scheduled to permanently close to make way for new green space in December of 2022. A new parking garage, located between Grand and Ivinson directly south of the Biological Sciences Building, is scheduled to open in spring 2023.
Other students were concerned about the cost – such as Ashton Hacke, a junior majoring in International Studies, who said “It sucks. It’s way too expensive.”
Prices did go up for almost all permits this year – the price for what was R permits, now Green parking permits, which are for residents in the Residence Halls and FSL houses, increased from $163.00 per year to $246.00 per year, a 51% increase. Orange parking permits, previously known as C parking permits, for commuting students, increased from $145.00 per year to $162.00 per year, an 11.7% increase.
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