Originally Posted by Kayli

Ok, and, just to make sure, is zone 6/lot M the only one I can even apply for? Or can I apply for one closer to my rez and hope for the best?

Unless something big has changed, I doubt you'll be able to apply for anything but Zone 6/Lot M.

Unfortunately, I can't say that for 100% sure since the 2008-2009 Parking Regulations aren't posted on the website yet, but the 2007-2008 ones are here: http://parking.mcmaster.ca/regulation07-08.pdf

Section 2 is the "Parking Zone Allocation Policy", subsection 2.03 states that "Undergraduates may apply for available spaces in lot 6 only".

For the most updated info, you'll probably have to call - (905) 525-9140 Ext. 24232. But, even if they let you, consider that the price difference between lots is pretty huge - Zone 6/Lot M costs $43/month, while Lots E, F, & G (the ones closest to the North Quad residences) cost $81/month. Oh, and if you wanted a space in the new underground garage, that's $97/month!

All this info and more you can find at the Parking website, at http://parking.mcmaster.ca/. If you need a pass for September, you'd better get one now - the website says they're only accepting undergrad applications until July 31.

Cippi is right, I work with Parking (they're part of Security Services) and it's the same as past years where students can only buy a pass for lot 6/M but they can park for the day in another lot so long as they pay (say on a weekend or something, you can't park there daily) because the other lots are reserved for faculty and staff.

It sucks, I know.

I think its a pretty good deterrant for people to take GO bus and other forms of public transit!

Okay, thanks for clarifying. And, say I do wanna park in another lot during the weekend, does that cost a lot?

it is upwards of 30 dollars a day depending on how long you stay in the lot

Bah! That's no good! (I actually don't know if that's reasonable or not, but I'm pretty cheap, so I'm gonna go with "no". lol)

lol don't worry, I think that's super pricey too but if I say that around the Parking office I get a million reasons why it's not. *shrug* I just HSR it and it works well for meee!

Yeah. I'm just worried that it's gonna be a pain for me to lug my bags around twice a week. I'll be living on the first floor of my rez, so it'd be so easy to just park infront of it and carry my stuff in, but noooooooooo... ....ow! (.................... ..................... .lol sorry, that was insanely dorky, wasn't it?)

Well depending on what res you live in the GO Bus terminal may be close (it's beside Keyes).

If you still decide to get a parking pass and park in Zone 6 you are allowed to park infront of your res for a couple of minutes to bring your bags inside and what not, just leave your signals on or something. If you leave it out there for a half an hour or something then you're pushing it but 10-15 minutes isn't a big deal.

Oh, okay. That sounds (almost) perfect, actually. Thanks.

I would suggest that pretty much anyone who can take a decent bus ride (an hour or less) should do that instead of driving.

But it really depends how much money you have and how much you're willing to spend.. But keep in mind that gas + parking is a lot of money. I've been taking the HSR for 2 years and I'm used to it. It's usually 2-3 hours a day, but it's better than spending all that money.