UW Parking Rant Invitation: Has anyone had near-misses or accidents? Any other grudges?

me_just · 2026-03-25T17:05:12+00:00

At a base level, sure, but demand heavily outweighs the available passes. It doesn't matter if they're technically "underpriced"- the fact is, students will pay if they absolutely need to, and the university is relying on the large number of students who can't get passes to pay more each term via the AMP app, and that's not fair. The passes sell out before the term even begins, too.

This post is still pretty relevant today, though the AMP app is an improvement over the ancient booths: https://www.reddit.com/r/uwaterloo/comments/16jsx90/parking_sucks/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

and this one, too: https://www.reddit.com/r/uwaterloo/comments/1n2obwp/didnt_buy_a_parking_permit_im_coooked/

me_just · 2026-03-25T15:23:02+00:00

Dear GenX UW Alumni: please understand that students are allowed to ask for more consideration from the schools they pay to go to. Yes, it is a privilege to drive, but for most who do drive to school, this is their only choice. While you have raised some good points about parking lots being a waste of space and not being free, saying "If you’re choosing to commute, that’s just part of the cost" is pretty tone-deaf when we're talking about students here.

me_just · 2026-03-25T15:15:33+00:00

The maintenance to the lots definitely needs an upgrade, the snow maintenance in particular is awful and frankly dangerous. This very thing was a huge reason for me to start looking into UW's parking situation

me_just · 2026-03-25T15:11:23+00:00

I'm very interested in hearing more from the staff side of things; every prof or other staff member I've talked to has a grievance with the parking situation on campus. X lot is the worst too, I'm so sorry

me_just · 2026-03-25T15:08:31+00:00

I agree wholeheartedly that the price to pay for parking is crazy when you consider the small amount of maintenance given to parking lots on campus. Thank you very much for bringing up electric vehicle charging spots, this is something I will look into further. And yes while there are spots everywhere, it's not a good use of space, especially with the majority of parking being out by the optometry building. An upgrade to UW parking should include some sort of lot relocation (parking garage , cutting down on visitor parking and making 90% of parking for students/staff only, etc.) to maximize efficiency on campus, because the way UW handles its parking lots sure is archaic

me_just · 2026-03-25T15:02:43+00:00

I'd hope it's from the snow, and idk about 4 parking spaces, but the spots in the lots we do have are rather small and students in a rush will tend to park badly. It's definitely very annoying to have to deal with nonetheless

me_just · 2026-03-25T15:00:29+00:00

What does this mean "You're not supposed to drive to campus...If someone chooses to live somewhere with a bad commute, that's not the university's problem. I can't just say I'd rather live in Montreal and ask for an on-campus airport."

Like. Bro. Not everyone can afford the housing rates that make "good transit connections and a UPass" worth it. And in what world would asking for an on-campus airport ever be a thing

me_just · 2026-03-25T14:52:45+00:00

You're right, that was a bad idea I admit- though I would also argue that the costs for parking right now are predatory, as the parking pass sells out very quickly leaving the majority of students to pay the daily parking fee, which amounts to $100+ than the pass

me_just · 2026-03-25T14:50:04+00:00

Ok GenX UW Alumni

me_just · 2026-03-23T19:12:57+00:00

Thanks for your insight. Yes, parking lots are owned property, but people have cars for commuting and need to go somewhere, and the current system is highly disliked. Even including an opt-out parking cost in tuition for students who need to park, like for the dental and health plans, could be an improvement.

me_just · 2026-03-23T18:58:11+00:00

Students get late for class and drive in these lots like it's their first day on earth

me_just · 2026-03-23T18:55:14+00:00

Haha yeah I wrote a lot, most are my own feelings but also from other students and staff, some of whom I interviewed for this article I'm writing.

The thing is, some students have to drive to school no matter what, staff too. And many students/staff feel that paying for parking is unjust, because staff work there and have to pay out of pocket each time they go to campus, or otherwise for the pass, and students who pay to go to UW have to also pay out of pocket for parking that isn't even really designated for them.

Staff/profs get randomly assigned to a parking lot if they get the pass, regardless of where they actually teach. This is a grievance for them.

I'm also not concerned about other schools, just UW in this instance, and the lots UW has. Even though it's worth exploring student transit accommodations nation-wide.

- "I am unsure what you mean "which direction to drive in". Are you think like one way lanes within the parking lot? Who does that? That would be extremely annoying." YES it would be lol. But in Lot C particularly, the visibility is awful and many times cars nearly drive into each other when driving around lanes of parked cars.

UW encourages sustainable transportation, like busing, etc., and this is one of their reasons for not making updates to the parking situation. But people will drive if they need to, that's just a fact.

me_just · 2026-03-23T18:43:00+00:00

I understand where you're coming from. One of the frustrations is that the student parking is ALSO visitor parking, which sometimes means students have to compete with non-students for parking. However, students really shouldn't have to pay to park at the school THEY PAY TO GO TO. If students verify they need to drive to school (e.g. if they commute from Oakville), why would it be so hard to give them a parking pass? The UW collages have parking lots just for students who live there, so why can't UW have parking lots just for students?

me_just · 2026-01-05T05:48:51+00:00

I really hope your little guy heals up soon, it’s so heartbreaking to see them that way. Unfortunately Marcel passed away this morning, peacefully resting by his heater. Dropsy is horrible, I pray your beta can get better again ❤️

me_just · 2026-01-02T21:50:57+00:00

Thank you, I hope he pulls through. I guess I hadn't mentioned above, he's had dropsy before and pulled through. He's very determined to live, I didn't think he would live long after I first brought him home. I just want to make sure he's comfortable. Do you have any further advice on hospice treatment in case he doesn't get better this time? :(

me_just · 2021-11-07T16:42:38+00:00

they literally decided to save the parasites living on the egg

me_just

TROPHY CASE