Editor,
Matt Martinez, in his letter published in the Daily Lobo on Friday, thinks we are all too lazy to get a driver's license. He should stop complaining about how he has to pay to park in a private lot at least somewhat close to campus.
This initiative that Albuquerque is taking for its college students is an excellent idea. Public transportation saves gas money for those who cannot afford to purchase a parking pass every semester. Now that Albuquerque pays to let college students ride for free, those students can use that money to pay rent, pay school bills and maybe save enough to buy a car and get a license like our privileged friend.
I have had a parking pass before as well. I was living on campus and paid the University $80 to let me park my old car in its lot. So what? Security patrolled the area, and I was within walking distance to campus. Parking costs something. I understood that.
Now that I live in Rio Rancho, I depend on Rapid Ride to get me to school, so I don't have to pay outrageous parking fees and gas prices to fill my tank every few days. For students, it is hard to get the money to pay for a parking space. That's why most students ride the bus. They cannot afford to park in a parking lot that has UNM shuttles going back and forth to it at all times and
security patrolling the area.
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The point is that if you want to pay for a parking space that has security and UNM shuttles that drive you all over campus, go ahead and pay - that's your prerogative. But don't bash a city program that is helping students deal with their other financial burdens by using public transportation.
This program can help struggling students who are not so focused on having to pay for a parking pass, but instead on how they are going to pay rent and eat next week. Think about them and then gripe about paying for your privileged parking pass, or just jump on the bandwagon and ride the bus like the rest of us.
Maggie Higgins
UNM student
