Lot C gets meter box

Buffalo State has taken another step towards simplifying metered parking by installing a new meter box outside of Grover Cleveland Hall.

Different from a traditional meter head, which requires coins and only services one parking space, a meter box accepts dollar bills and credit cards while servicing the entire lot. To use a meter box, the driver must insert bills or swipe a credit card, select the amount of time and put the printed ticket on their dashboard.

Director of Parking Services Jayme Riter said the change was made because most of the original meter heads were getting old and in need of repair. She said it would cost about the same to replace the old heads as it would to install a new meter box, so the college decided to go with the latter, more user-friendly option.

"The old meters had no capability for dollar bills and were breaking down in the inclement weather," she said. "This way, it's better for the user."

In addition to being more cost-effective for the college, Riter noted the use of meter boxes as a growing trend.

"Across the country, you'll see regular meter heads being replaced by boxes," she said. "The City of Buffalo is doing it as well."

Currently, there are two of these new parking boxes on campus. The first is located by the Burchfield-Penney Art Gallery, while the most recent addition is located in the lot in front of Grover Cleveland Hall.

Richard Harris, assistant director of Student Life for Commuter and Minority Services, said since the change is minimal, he doesn't think the change will affect students that much.

"There aren't that many metered lots as opposed to lots for parking passes which have already been paid for," he said. "I don't think it will affect commuters as much as faculty and visitors."

Still, students who have used the new boxes said they like the change.

"I think it's easier because now I can use a credit card instead of quarters," said Brendan McDaniels, a senior media production major. "It saves time. I try not to park in meter lots, but if I have to, it's convenient."

Riter said although she is unsure whether or not the college will replace the rest of the old parking meters with boxes, the college will be looking into it in the future.

"(Meter boxes) seem to work really well for people, so the college will take it from there," she said.

Brian Alexander can be reached by email at alexander.record@live.com.