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Parking meter costs may increase

Parking costs around Oxford could double from 25 cents per hour to 50 cents.
Parking costs around Oxford could double from 25 cents per hour to 50 cents.

Tom Segell, Senior Staff Writer

Parking costs around Oxford could double from 25 cents per hour to 50 cents. (SCOTT ALLISON | The Miami Student)

The efforts of The Oxford Parking and Transportation Advisory Board to implement the proposed increase of the parking meter expense are still tentative, yet likely to be instated in upcoming summer months.

"We anticipate that this will be in place by the time students arrive," Lt. Bob Holzworth, director of Parking Control for the Oxford Police Department said.

The original proposal called for a 25 cent hike in the price of the two-hour parking meters, which would potentially raise the cost to 50 cents per hour.

The price increase would affect the two-hour meters on High Street between Campus and College avenues, Holzworth said.

Holzworth suggested that the current price is outdated, as it has not been increased in 17 years.

"It's grossly underpriced to park in the premium locations uptown," Holzworth said.

Holzworth also mentioned that while the ambitions behind the price increase are partially income-driven, it would serve as a convenience for both Oxford residents and Miami University students who often briefly frequent uptown for a meal or errand.

"Miami students make up a substantial portion of the people who use the spots," Holzworth said. "It is an income-based decision; with the occupancy and turnover, it generates some revenue, but it has everything to do with freeing up spots because we don't have enough."

Miami junior Michael O'Horo, who drives uptown regularly, is less inclined to use his vehicle and speculates he would rather walk if meter prices increase.

"I think it's absurd to increase the expense," O'horo said. "I'm only uptown for periods of 20 minutes, so it doesn't make sense for me to pay 50 cents."