Parking on Campus

By: Kamran Soomro

Parking for Georgia State University Atlanta campus has been criticized for its expense and lack of availability. This year, the university replaced its old system with a new one. The new parking system requires all vehicles to register to access parking provided by the university. Even though a new parking system has been implemented, alternative and public transportation offer more cost-effective solutions.

To park at GSU, both fall and spring semester parking permits are priced at $215. Summer semester permits are $110. If a student purchases a semester-long parking permit for the Atlanta campus at the G Deck, J Deck, or M Deck, they will find that parking permits are limited.

As of fall 2021, Georgia State boasts almost thirty thousand undergraduate enrollees. Against just nine thousand parking spaces across the campus’ 110 acres, parking availability becomes increasingly limited. Additionally, parking permits are slated to cost even more than their current $215/semester price come fall 2023.

I was shocked and disappointed yesterday with the “new and improved” Georgia State parking system. I decided to throw caution to the wind and ride to campus with my friend instead of riding my usual MARTA route. My friend had a parking pass with the new system, and, as one would, I assumed that this would offer a fast and efficient parking experience.

When we arrived on campus, already frazzled by the Atlanta traffic, we had to spend twenty minutes looking for a parking spot before finding one, but it was less than ideal. After driving around campus looking for a parking space, it dawned on me that the only thing that had improved was the parking system’s ability to read our license plate numbers.

Pressed for time, we found ourselves more than a little stressed. At this point, I was struck with a newfound respect for public transportation. I recommend that students use alternative transportation instead of a parking permit because it is cheaper, more convenient, and better for the environment and our mental and physical health.

Students can get a MARTA Breeze Card at a discounted cost of $61 dollars a month or $240/per semester, and it is not limited to Georgia State’s campus. Students can use it to travel anywhere MARTA goes, allowing us to enjoy all that Atlanta has to offer.

Although the parking for Georgia State’s Atlanta campus costs $35 less at $215/semester (summer semester permits are $110), the MARTA Breeze Card costing $240/semester pass, offers students more convenience and benefits. The $35 difference is a small price, only factoring in the cost of gas for the semester. MARTA is readily available across the city during school hours and does not require you to spend money on gas or time to find a parking space. In addition, if you are having a late-night study session, you will not have to worry about getting booted; MARTA runs on weekdays from 5 a.m.-1:30 a.m. 

For students who don’t find MARTA convenient or within their budget, Panther Express, GSU’s transit system, is free and available to every Georgia State student and employee. Students who use Panther Express can park for free in the Blue or Green Lot at Center Parc Stadium. There is a shuttle that takes you straight to campus. The Panther Express has four daily routes from 7 a.m. to midnight. Fun fact: reserve a Panther Express shuttle for a special event.

Georgia State also provides resources for bike commuters. For bike rack locations, visit the university map here. Another alternative transportation that is coming to campus soon is Zipcar. Zipcar provides students and faculty an easy, hands-off rideshare program on campus.

At the end of the day, we need campus parking that is efficient as well as affordable. Most of us are pushed to the limit moneywise and timewise and cannot afford the additional stress of getting to campus to find there is no available parking. There are alternatives to what GSU has to offer, but for the cost of tuition, we should be able to rely on our university to provide us with basic accommodations like parking.