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should use alternative modes of transportation
Students should use alternative modes of
transportation
This summer seem to be the smoggiest in
years and as the fall semester approaches
students will find it harder to deal with
the environmental effects. Parking is close
to
impossible at campus as popular as Cal State
Long Beach parking is close to impossible
and those full spots surely worsen the environmental
problem. Students should look at the various
alternative modes of transportation available.
For some students alternative transportation
may be available, but not accessible due
to conflicting schedules and the distance
of their commute. Others may not be aware
how to use their resources efficiently or
wisely to get to CSULB. Students could use
public transportation, ride their bicycles,
roller-blade, or carpool to school.
Public transportation may limit student's
ability to get up and go or arrive to class
on time; it has its benefits. If you are
able to get to class on time, riding the
bus may serve as useful study time that
could not be done (at least safely) while
you are driving.
For those of us that live close to campus,
riding a bike or roller-blade may be an
option worthy of exploration. After all
as students we sometimes find it hard to
make time to workout or go to the gym, so
what better opportunity to get some aerobic
exercise.
CSULB also offers a carpool program, which
in all honesty would help all of us find
better parking spots, especially when we
attend a campus where parking availability
reaches the streets. To participate in the
carpool program a student must have at least
two people arrive to campus together and
they must carpool at least two days per
week, otherwise they may be cited.
About a thousand parking permits are issued
each semester to students that want to participate
in the carpool program, according to Christine
A. Hart, alternative transportation coordinator
at CSULB. The designated parking spots are
on Lot 11 by Palo Verde Street and Lot 17
by the Brotman Hall. The incentives include
closer parking adjacent to shuttle stops
and a carpool permit that could be shared
within a group.
Incentives should be amended to include
rebates of some sort for parking and more
parking spots designated for carpool closer
to Upper Campus. Hart recommends students
voice their suggestions to improve the parking
situation on campus.
"We need to hear suggestions on parking
from parking customer, they may even send
their suggestions by email. Parking is self-sufficient,
but we suggest splitting the cost of a parking
permit between the participating group,"
said Hart. All carpool vehicles must have
a parking permit. Carpool agreements are
available at the front desk of the parking
and transportation department.
Students should do their part in improving
the environment and parking availability
on campus after all we are the most affected
by these burdens.
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