With the beginning of a new academic year, the Stanford Parking and Transportation department (P&TS) is swamped with new requests for parking permits and commuter club passes. Depending on a student’s academic status and location on or off campus, there are a variety of transportation options available. For on campus students, residential parking permits are available according to which residence students are living in for the year. Governor’s Corner, Lagunita Court, and parts of the Knoll are registered as “west” campus parking residences. The Row and Florence Moore Hall are recognized as being “mid”-campus houses for parking, while the remainder of campus (which is the most populated portion) is designated as “east” campus parking houses: Stern, Wilbur, Toyon, Branner, Manzanita, the Cowell Cluster, Mirrelees, Rains, and Escondido Village.
For off-campus commuters, “A” or “C” permits can be purchased. C permit parking spots can be found all over campus and at nearly every large parking lot or structure. “A” permits are eligible to use any spot designated as “C”, plus additional “A” spaces that are closer to buildings on campus. For example, the parking lot near Cobb Track and Angel Field is designated as “C” and meter pay-parking, while the spaces immediately in front of the Alumni Center and Arillaga Recreation Center are all “A” parking spots.
In recent years, the P&TS department has changed little about the fundamental structure or pricing of the student parking system. Indeed, no noticeable policies have been implemented to expand student permit regions; and, in the same token, no policies have been aimed at discouraging or complicating the individual parking permit. Despite the fact that the University has made some changes to make parking more accessible near residences—the Wilbur Field underground lot being the best example—a large portion of Stanford P&TS focus has actually been in the development of the Stanford Commuter Club for off-campus students or staff.parking permits and commuter club passes. Depending on a student’s academic status and location on or off campus, there are a variety of transportation options available. For on campus students, residential parking permits are available according to which residence students are living in for the year. Governor’s Corner, Lagunita Court, and parts of the Knoll are registered as “west” campus parking residences. The Row and Florence Moore Hall are recognized as being “mid”-campus houses for parking, while the remainder of campus (which is the most populated portion) is designated as “east” campus parking houses: Stern, Wilbur, Toyon, Branner, Manzanita, the Cowell Cluster, Mirrelees, Rains, and Escondido Village.For off-campus commuters, “A” or “C” permits can be purchased. C permit parking spots can be found all over campus and at nearly every large parking lot or structure. “A” permits are eligible to use any spot designated as “C”, plus additional “A” spaces that are closer to buildings on campus. For example, the parking lot near Cobb Track and Angel Field is designated as “C” and meter pay-parking, while the spaces immediately in front of the Alumni Center and Arillaga Recreation Center are all “A” parking spots.
The Commuter Club, according the Stanford P&TS website, is for people who want to help their own wallets while being environmentally conscious: “By not purchasing a Stanford parking permit, and joining the Stanford University Commute Club, you can help reduce emissions, minimize the number of vehicles traveling to and from campus, and benefit financially by not driving alone.” To be eligible for the Commuter Club, Stanford affiliates must spend at least 20 hours per week on the main Stanford campus and must be either a registered student, faculty, postdoc, or other employee. Commuter Club members are also entitled to use 8 “day-permits” per month to drive their own cars on days they may not be able to commute with other club members. Those who choose to not renew individual permits and join the Commuter Club may receive $25-$100 dollars in bonus credit on top of $300 for Clean Air Cash or Carpool Credit.
So, despite Stanford’s recently made construction contributions to parking like the Wilbur lot to simplifying on-campus parking for residents, the Commuter Club represents the focus of the P&TS office. Although P&TS has not aggressively discouraged individual driving permits, its policies and emphasis has been on spreading awareness concerning the Commuter Club and taking steps to encourage commuting, biking, or using trains, buses, and shuttles. As many who will go to P&TS Offices at 340 Bonair Siding will notice this year, many posters and even a video are displayed to encourage commuting and mass transit over individual driving and parking for both environmental and personal economic benefits. Students with further questions about parking permits can contact P&TS, visit the P&TS website, or visit the office on campus.