Is paying for a premium parking pass downtown actually worth it or just throwing money away?

I've been parking in the same lot near Jasper Ave for about two years now, and I finally decided to upgrade to the premium reserved spot for an extra $45 a month. Figured it would save me time circling around and maybe keep my car safer... but honestly, after three months, I'm noticing the same dings and dust as before. The spot is closer to the elevator, but I still get stuck in the same exit line every evening. I talked to a buddy who parks in the cheap lot four blocks over and he swears he walks past my spot every day and laughs at the waste. So what's the real gain here... is it just about convenience or are people actually seeing a benefit? Has anyone else tested both sides and found a clear winner?

2 comments

2 Comments

victor_butler504d ago

I have to respectfully disagree with your friend who walks by and laughs. You mention "the same dings and dust as before" but I think you are missing the real benefit. The premium pass is not about stopping dings or dust, it is about saving your time and your sanity. I paid for a reserved spot near my office for years and it cut my morning stress down to almost nothing. No more driving around in circles or worrying if I would be late. That extra 45 bucks a month is cheap for what it gives you back in peace of mind.

faith124d ago

Funny enough, this whole parking debate reminds me of the time I spent a whole summer driving for a carpool service in college. I had this one guy who would pay extra every single day to park in the same spot by the coffee shop, even though it was ten bucks more than the lot across the street. He said it was his "ritual" and that the extra cost was like buying a guarantee that his morning wouldn't start off wrong. I never understood it until I started running my own business and realized that sometimes you just pay to avoid the small headaches that pile up. So yeah, I get the peace of mind thing, even if I still think walking an extra block is free exercise.