by Abigail Ramirez
Daily Lobo
Last week's closure of Zia Lot has had mixed results.
Joshua Kavanagh, associate director for Parking and Transportation Services, said the change was a good idea that was poorly executed.
"That's my fault," he said. "I allowed for a rushed decision-making process that resulted in timing and communication errors."
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Zia Lot permit holders were directed to permanently park in South Lot or G Lot on Oct. 16.
The change was the result of a decline in permit sales of about 800 from last year, and it was designed to improve the shuttle system by
eliminating stops.
Kavanagh said consolidating the two lots will pay off.
"On the few normal days we've had since this change, I've seen the plan working," he said. "I've observed some improvement."
However, the move did create
unnecessary stress for many students, he said.
Student Kimberly McCluskey used to park in Zia Lot, on the corner of Avenida CÇsar Chávez and University boulevards, before the move.
She said she didn't like the idea at first, because she thought the shuttles would be crowded, and it would be difficult to find a parking spot.
However, she said everything is running smoothly.
"I think the buses go a lot faster now, because you are not waiting as long as you would have at Zia," she said. "It seems that the buses are coming more often."
On the other hand, student Jessica Seeley said she has to park farther away, and the wait for the shuttle is longer.
"There is a bigger wait at the actual shuttle stop, because now there isn't two parking lots picking up people, and there's only the one location," she said.
Seeley said sometimes she gets to class late because the shuttles are already full, and she has to wait for the next one to come.
"I don't see any good in the move, because before there was less people at South, and now that everyone is waiting at South, you have to shove your way just to get on the shuttle before it gets full," she said. "You have to get there way earlier."
Kavanagh said many students are upset about the closure.
"The majority of students that I've spoken to are upset - mostly about the timing of the change, and the insufficient communication surrounding it," he said.
The biggest problem from the move was the insufficient amount of space in the lot during Thursday's football game, since people use Zia Lot to park for the stadium, he said.
Kavanagh e-mailed 600 South Lot permit holders with directions to another place they could park, but that plan wasn't effective, he said.
Leaflets had to be used to redirect people that were arriving to the overflow location, he said.
In the future, Kavanagh will send notices to all South Lot permit holders about problems with parking to their preferred e-mail addresses.
"This shouldn't be a problem in the South Lot again this year but is something that we need to be mindful of, campus-wide, as we plan for the future," Kavanagh said.
