I have been waiting for the word to come about the availability of a Green Parking Permit so that I can save 20% on parking fees here at the University of Maryland. Well, the new policy came out today and leaves me a little disappointed! They only focus on mpg and not the fact that the Mini has very low emissions, which in my book is much more important! If you look at the link the Clubman does not meet the standard, well actually very, very, very few cars do..I think only the electrics (Hybrids, and the Smart) meet the standard.

Does any one have a similar problem, and if so, was there a solution, or very good argument to demonstrate the "short sighted" environmental policy should be focusing on more than just mpg?

The exert below is directly from the University Policy!

The Green Permit is available to persons who drive a car to campus that averages 37 miles per gallon on the highway according to federal standards. To see if your car qualifies, visit http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm Eligible persons will receive a 20 percent discount on the cost of a parking permit.

 

I do not want to sound negative here but:

I would be willing to bet they set the standard the way they did in an effort to reduce the number of cars getting the discount.

What would happen if 1/2 the cars parking on the university were considered Green?

The university would loose a lot of revenue. They do not want to do that. So any argument that you provide will probably be meaningless to them. They are there to make money not give lots of discounts

IMHO they should not be charging you for parking anyway.

 

Oh, I forgot to mention that they do charge me (everyone) for parking.. a "pretty penny" at that.
I know that they need to make money, and that they charge to bring in revenues to pay for capitol improvements and other such things.
The opportunity to incentivize (sic) improving the environment and lowering energy use was set too high, 20% discount on parking is really not that much, and in the long run with lower (slightly) standards, they could encourage much more participation.

 

Most universities charge for parking anymore. They charge, because there is a finite amount of parking space on and near the campus, however, they also usually offer services to make paying for the permit worthwhile. The universities near my house offer free locksmith and emergency services if you lock your keys in your car, or need help with a problem with your car on campus.

However, I thought the fees were a bit outrageous at the bigger universities. At the community college it was 12$ a quarter for your parking permit. At the state university it was 90$ a quarter . At the private universities here, forget it... park a mile down the street and take the bus in because it's not even worth trying to be cool enough to afford a parking permit.

 

guess you should have gotten the standard clubman with a manual, then you would be good to go (but have less "fun" )

 

Magoo, apparently the U doensn't find you to be green enough.

Put on a flag lapel pin, ask an administrator for the discount and when rebuffed, yell the following, "You're an evil-doer and must be stopped."
You'll pick up your discount parking sticker the next day...or be in the campus brig.

 

Yes, the manual Clubman certainly would qualify for the permit. Why do people seem to think that it's less fun than the S? Does the S come with a Ferris Wheel or something?

 

It comes with skeeball!

 

My S gives me pancakes out of the secret glovebox when I go over 85mph.

 

The S comes with a larger reserve of 'fun' on tap from 1500-5000 RPM

 

notice the "" around the word fun, followed by the , that means I was joking...

 

I call that my "drug smuggling compartment"....which incidentally, can result in "fun".

Not that I know or anything...

 

Buy a scooter.

 

Pancakes and skee-ball... now I understand. Thanks guys.