Tri-Met

I take the MAX every day to campus for several reasons: 1) It is cheaper to buy a term-long bus pass than a term-long on-campus parking pass, 2) I don't like to add to the congestion of morning rush hour (i.e. I don't like to drive in traffic), and 3) I think carpooling and using public transportation is a very important step in protecting our environment. I do, however, drive from my house to the MAX station because I have always found Tri-Met's bus service to be unreliable and a further tax on my time. The station I park at usually fills up by 8:30, so even though I don't have class until 10am, I find myself leaving the house no later than 8 just to find a parking spot. Sometimes, though, I end up parking near some very disrespectful individuals.

We've all see it: the guy with the fancy car who parks as far away from the grocery store as possible and straddles four different parking spots so no one will scratch his baby. I usually laugh at them because they do that when parking lots are completely empty and end up walking from one end to the other out of their own vanity. When I see someone doing the same thing in a crowded parking lot - one that I use and occasionally have to abandon because it's too full - it just irritates me. Take exhibit A for example:

Everyone else who uses this MAX station is very respectful because they use it every day. I have been parking here every day for almost a year and - knock on wood - have yet to see an accident. What would motivate someone to park like this other than his or her utter disrespect for fellow commuters?

I did forward this photograph on to Tri-Met to complain as well. They have their own security company and the city police department has a car drive through the parking lot to keep an eye on it at least every couple of hours. I'm rarely one to wish fines on anyone, but this parking job is just insulting to me and everyone else who tries to park in the morning on the way to work or school. I want this driver to if nothing else at least get a warning from Tri-Met. There are more cars on the road in many cities than places to park already; just because we haven't caught up yet doesn't mean this person needs two parking spots for one car.