by Mark Schaaf
Daily Lobo
By closing three parking lots and one shuttle this summer, UNM parking officials are hoping the result will be a more efficient service for their customers.
During the last few summers, the South, Zia and I lots have been underused, Parking Information representative Stacy Nagyvary said. She said shutting down those lots for the summer will consolidate their resources and not waste gas on empty buses.
"We've noticed in the summertime the ridership has gone down a lot," Nagyvary said. "It'd be kind of a waste to have these buses running and our resources could be better used elsewhere."
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Students with South and Zia permits can use Q Lot on University Boulevard just south of Indian School Road.
I Lot permits will be honored in the G Lot or the Observatory Lot on Tucker Road, east of University Boulevard. They will not be valid in any other M Lot except for the Observatory Lot.
Josh Kavanagh, associate director of Parking & Transportation Services, said the change will decrease walking time for many of the I Lot permit holders and help the UNM Police Department.
"By consolidation there, we are able to do a better job with the supplemental security that we provide to UNMPD," Kavanagh said.
Faculty and staff with SP1 permits may use the E Lot. The South Lot shuttle route, which stopped at the South and Zia parking lots, will also be closed from May 15 to Aug. 14.
Kavanagh said they are willing to work with anyone who has problems with the changes, which has occurred for a few people who park in the Science and Technology Park area.
"In those rare instances where the new location isn't working as well, we've been able to work one-on-one with customers to find individualized solutions," he said.
Nagyvary said they have been busy trying to get the word out, and anyone with concerns can contact her at the parking office at 277-3729.
