Paying for parking at your job is bullshit

[divisionbyzorro]

Where I work you also have to pay for parking, but they subsidize public transport (to where it basically costs you nothing to take public transport depending upon how far out you live). The cost of parking is more of a disincentive to drive in (since there just isn't enough parking for everyone) than it is a cash grab. That sort of situation doesn't bother me. Of course, it doesn't sound like OP is dealing with a situation quite like that.

 

[Goldenroad]

See...and when I went to school I always thought it was bullshit that staff were given prime parking spots, while students, who are already paying to go to university, had to pay for parking ON TOP of their tuition and were given far worse parking spots than the staff. I mean are the universities there to service the students or the staff? I'm not saying that parking shouldn't be included in staff compensation, but it's kind of crazy that students have to pay for their own parking and then that they should be expected to pay for the staff's parking as well (as part of their tuition).

 

[Josh5890]

So glad I live and work in the suburbs. We never have to pay for parking to go to work.

 

[Linkura]

Lmfao it's like $400 a MONTH for parking here in Boston.

I just take the train.

 

[Cokie Bear]

How long have you worked there? Ask for a $65 a month raise. If you've been there for a few years it shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Kthulhu]

There is basically no public transportation where I live so I'd probably quit if that happened to me.

 

[Akita One]

OP, if you do work at a university in the US, they are large enough to provide commuter benefits which covers some of your parking costs, up to $270. Have you spoken to HR about this?

https://commuterbenefits.com/how-it-works/

 

[henhowc]

I work at UCLA and pay about $1000 a year to park. Averages out to be around $4.30 per work day. They charge $13/day for visitors.

I've broached the subject at one of those "how can we make things better for staff" town hall type things for my department. They mention that parking is extremely limited and they are trying to reduce traffic and encourage people to use public transportation. They do offer some subsidies but public transportation kind of LA sucks. Free street parking is also impossible to find in Westwood.

 

[sangreal]

It's a write off on your taxes. You'll get the money back EOY.

Click to shrink...

This is not how tax deductions work

 

[Kenstar]

This is not how tax deductions work

Click to shrink...

yep, tax deductions =/= tax credits

 

[pillowtalk]

For a year I had to park about a mile away from this job. There was a company shuttle that drove around in a wide arc picking up employees to drop them off at work. Half the time I took it, the other half I just walked 15-20 mins. Super fun when it rained and the shuttle was always full.