parking during exams

mac123

is parking in the rds free during the exams or whats the story?

beanyb

Yeah it is. UCD pay the RDS for the use of the car park. You just have to show your student card as you go in.

Riamfada

beanyb wrote:

UCD pay the RDS for the use of the car park.

How very unlike UCD. Parking gets a bit tough before the exams so make sure you are there an hour or so to comfortably get a space. It packs up about 20mins before .

drdre

theres loads of parking outside rds if you cant get parking inside.

elmyra

I arrived late to one of my christmas exams and was allowed to park almost directly outside the door of the rds pavillion. the parking guys are lovely and logistical genii who should be in charge of all aspects of exams.

As an aside for anyone parking in Carysfort (Blackrock), from polling out there during elections it seems that space is quite limited. There is one non-pay carpark and one pay carpark. No prizes for guessing which one you're more likely to get a space in. Get there early.

Font22

i've never had to show my student card driving in! free parking is great but its a nightmare getting out if u are in a hurry to get home and study for another exam.

drdre

heres some update on parking
Parking at RDS:
There will be a parking charge of €5 per day at the RDS venue. This is a charge that has been levied directly by the RDS and not by UCD.

tywy

bastards!

aswell as ****ing us over with regards to the timetable we now have to pay for parking too, this is ridiculous

drdre

tywy wrote:

bastards!

aswell as ****ing us over with regards to the timetable we now have to pay for parking too, this is ridiculous

Yeah the timetable situation was a diaster.:(

random_banter

Where did you find that beautiful piece of news??

Theyve got to be joking!!!!

drdre

random_banter wrote:

Where did you find that beautiful piece of news??

Theyve got to be joking!!!!

I just got an email from UCD, stating the exam locations and bus routes etc

Chakar

Parking at RDS:
There will be a parking charge of €5 per day at the RDS venue. This is a charge that has been levied directly by the RDS and not by UCD.

Apparently UCD aren't to blame.

drdre

Chakar wrote:

Parking at RDS:
There will be a parking charge of €5 per day at the RDS venue. This is a charge that has been levied directly by the RDS and not by UCD.

Apparently UCD aren't to blame.

I just said that

CardinalJ

€5 for 2 hours parking is more than you'd pay in half the shoppung center carparks in Dublin.
I'm sure UCD 'tried their best' to avoid it. >:(

drdre

CardinalJ wrote:

€5 for 2 hours parking is more than you'd pay in half the shoppung center carparks in Dublin.
I'm sure UCD 'tried their best' to avoid it. >:(

Yeah , Loads of people are going to park wrong outside and get clamped.Thats just bloody annoying

hullaballoo

UCD 2006/7: the greatest shambles I have ever known.

cast_iron

An utter disgrace. UCD admin should have INSISTED on a continuation of free parking for students (they prob would have had to pay it themselves, so just passed the charge on).

Are staff/invigilators going to have to fork out also?

SGKM

Its an absolute joke! Why is this only a problem now, and has never been a problem in the past??

Do you think that they could be using this as some sort of trial run for the proposed pay parking on campus? As in people who only "have to" drive will drive and those who dont will get the bus / dart / cycle / walk from home or UCD. So if hardly anyone bothers to drive to the RDS they'll think happy days people are happy not to drive. I realise that people can park in UCD and commute from there but you wouldn't know what way admin are thinking and they are under huge pressure to solve the parking problem on campus.

Villaricos

that is so ridiculous. the rds is a tough place to get to on public transport, cant believe there doing this

but Im in the arts building for my exams so Im not really too outraged, but I'll be outraged for the rest of you!

drdre

Villaricos wrote:

that is so ridiculous. the rds is a tough place to get to on public transport, cant believe there doing this

but Im in the arts building for my exams so Im not really too outraged, but I'll be outraged for the rest of you!

its not that bad, just park outside the rds

Villaricos

drdre wrote:

its not that bad, just park outside the rds

ah I know yea, Im messing. Im not even in the rds!:p

drdre

Villaricos wrote:

ah I know yea, Im messing. Im not even in the rds!:p

, i know thats why i was telling yoy not to panic

bobbi

I think its such a disgrace to have to pay for the parking to do your exam.They are acting like its a bargain ONLY a fiver a day most ppl would proberly have only one exam a day so would only be parked for 2/3 hours what happens if you have like 7/8 exams thats gona cost you a fair bit.UCD is unbelievable this year its a complete joke.

Whelo10

So if i have an exam from 9-11 then if i want to go back to the lib and study, and head back down to the Rds for 6-8 for another exam, i've got to fork out €10, for what is really only 4 hours parking. Talk about extortion, nd its not as if its a quality car park, its just grass!

Blush_01

Alternatively, you could park on campus and do what the majority of students do - get the bus/cycle/walk. It's a short walk from campus to the RDS, you're as quick walking as getting the bus from UCD, pretty much.

Alternatively, give a lift to other people doing exams on the understanding that they pay their share of the parking, it'll be between €1 and €2.50 for them, which is roughly the price of the bus.

It's the least of the problems posed by exam time. To be frank, there are far more pressing things to worry about.

drdre

Blush_01 wrote:

Alternatively, you could park on campus and do what the majority of students do - get the bus/cycle/walk. It's a short walk from campus to the RDS, you're as quick walking as getting the bus from UCD, pretty much.

Alternatively, give a lift to other people doing exams on the understanding that they pay their share of the parking, it'll be between €1 and €2.50 for them, which is roughly the price of the bus.

It's the least of the problems posed by exam time. To be frank, there are far more pressing things to worry about.

the cycling, walking etc is just too much hassle and waste of time

cast_iron

Whelo10 wrote:

So if i have an exam from 9-11 then if i want to go back to the lib and study, and head back down to the Rds for 6-8 for another exam, i've got to fork out €10, for what is really only 4 hours parking. Talk about extortion, nd its not as if its a quality car park, its just grass!

No, €5 per day means just that. You get a sticker upon entry, just ensure you leave it on display.

Whelo10

Cool, hopefully though, if the feeder bus service is a success, and there isn't goin to be huge queues, that should be the easiest way down...but things never really go to plan round exam time with this college!

Blush_01

drdre wrote:

the cycling, walking etc is just too much hassle and waste of time

You won't even be there, what do you care? I've walked/taken the bus for 4 years, it hasn't killed me yet! Would you prefer every student had their exam brought to them in bed?

cast_iron

Blush_01 wrote:

You won't even be there, what do you care?

That's irrelevant and doesn't make the point any less valid.

In any case, not everyone will be arriving straight from college. And when one has a car, why waste time getting buses and walking?

delta_bravo

Its only a 30-40 minute walk. And the RDS is reasonably well serviced by nearby buses.

humbert

I don't know about everyone else but travelling to an exam is when I'm the most stressed by a mile and so I'd like as few complications as possible. It's up to UCD to arrange a place for it's students to sit exams and having to pay a fiver for the privilege seems a bit ghey to me.

elmyra

Twould be my reckoning that there is no change in the RDS situation. I reckon you've always had to pay to park but the college have paid it but this year they're not cos they're forking out for shuttle buses. UCD is really wreckin' my buzz right about now.

Anyway, I am also one of the cool kids sitting exams on campus due to arm injury. DrDre I suggest giving a shout to the disability support service and they will refer you the lady in the exams office who deals with special circumstances, they sorted me out pretty quickly.

drdre

elmyra wrote:

Twould be my reckoning that there is no change in the RDS situation. I reckon you've always had to pay to park but the college have paid it but this year they're not cos they're forking out for shuttle buses. UCD is really wreckin' my buzz right about now.

Anyway, I am also one of the cool kids sitting exams on campus due to arm injury. DrDre I suggest giving a shout to the disability support service and they will refer you the lady in the exams office who deals with special circumstances, they sorted me out pretty quickly.

Could you please send me a pm with the phone number and person i should contact.thanks

elmyra

PM sent.

drdre

elmyra wrote:

PM sent.

Thanks

Tayto2000

cast_iron wrote:

And when one has a car, why waste time getting buses and walking?

Yeah, why hold off contributing to the Dublin congestion, pollution and parking problem? And then moan about parking charges while you're doing it.

drdre

Tayto2000 wrote:

Yeah, why hold off contributing to the Dublin congestion, pollution and parking problem? And then moan about parking charges while you're doing it.

Do you have a car, if you dont then you are just jealous

Tayto2000

I have a car, but I usually cycle, its 20 minutes by bike vs 35-45 by car plus parking issues etc. Allows me to be smug when lambasting drivers on boards

Schlemm

hmm, cycling down to the RDS in exam stress mode...I can't see myself negotiating the junction at the Stillorgan road with much success...

Garret

Villaricos wrote:

that is so ridiculous. the rds is a tough place to get to on public transport, cant believe there doing this

but Im in the arts building for my exams so Im not really too outraged, but I'll be outraged for the rest of you!

the 7 and 45 are both fairly regular, and its near the dart line.

and a shuttle bus from the college

Blush_01

What part of shuttle bus is so hard to understand? There are 50 places on each bus. The buses run every 20 minutes. Park on campus and hop on the shuttle bus... and avoid parking fees. That's if you're too lazy to walk from Donnybrook/Ballsbridge to the exam centre. Don't give me crap about stress, a few minutes of a walk will do anybody good when they're going to be cooped up for the next 3 hours. Clear your head and give you some perspective before going over your notes at the exam centre.

I have no sympathy for drivers unless they're physically disabled. In which case, they'll be sitting exams on campus anyway, unless they're stubborn. Thousands of students get to the RDS/Blackrock every year without cars, and it doesn't make things any more or less stressful for them. A car isn't a right, it's a privilege, so stop trying to act as though it's otherwise.

Villaricos

Blush_01 wrote:

What part of shuttle bus is so hard to understand? There are 50 places on each bus. The buses run every 20 minutes. Park on campus and hop on the shuttle bus... and avoid parking fees. That's if you're too lazy to walk from Donnybrook/Ballsbridge to the exam centre. Don't give me crap about stress, a few minutes of a walk will do anybody good when they're going to be cooped up for the next 3 hours. Clear your head and give you some perspective before going over your notes at the exam centre.

ah yes for the person with a nine o clock exam, clearly driving to college and then walking/getting a shuttle bus isnt going to be in anyway stressful, not under time pressure, with rush hour traffic and the impending exam, nope no stress at all there:rolleyes:

And Garret not everyone is serviced by the dart 7 or 45, when I used to be in the RDS I had to drive, or go on a two different buses journey. People from where I live are reckoning they'll have to get taxis in for nine o clock exams, theyve no other way of getting to the RDS in time. these are the non drivers obviously.

Garret

right, well i get a lift in a car, a train and a dart

and have 9 o clock exams

i dont find it stressful at all,

do no buses from your area link up to the city centre, where a 7 or 45 or dart can be taken no?

cast_iron

Blush_01 wrote:

What part of shuttle bus is so hard to understand? There are 50 places on each bus. The buses run every 20 minutes.

Whilst the walk will no doubt be of some use (I've done it myself many a day), 150 seats per hour isn't much. I doubt everyone will want to be 2-3 hours early for an exam. Of course, there will be a glut of people trying to get on the shuttle bus at peak time, and I'm not sure how that's going to work out.

And while it may seem a touch frivilous, what about a rainy day? No one will walk, buses will be packed, and students won't be too keen waiting at a crowded Belfield stop with barely enough room to keep a dozen people dry for the next Dublin Bus to arrive.

Blush_01 wrote:

Thousands of students get to the RDS/Blackrock every year without cars, and it doesn't make things any more or less stressful for them. A car isn't a right, it's a privilege, so stop trying to act as though it's otherwise.

And quite a few students have gone by car every year up to now, usually bringing a fairly packed car load of friends with them. Whilst it not a right to own a car, many have forked out quite a bit to do so, and this appears to be just another stealth charge, as it's not as if they are stuck for space out there, and it would be lying idle besides.

Blush_01

So, as I said before, split the price of parking between the lot. 4 people in a car = €1.25 per person. Your parking is now vastly cheaper, if you must bring your car. There's more space for all those people who usually park on the side of the road too. The charge encourages those who don't have to drive to leave their cars at home, and those who do to car pool. It makes sense, I would have though.

Just because there's a shuttle bus service does not mean there's no Dublin bus service either, remember. The 145, 46A/B/C/D/E, 746, 84, 7, 45, 10 etc. all serve the RDS very well. So does the DART. If you have to take two modes of transport, then that's the reality of your situation. There are plenty of people from the areas drivers commute from who take public transport too, it's not like there's mass discrimination against drivers, shipping them off to the RDS while everyone else gets to go to a more convenient location.

You're just going to have to excuse my lack of sympathy at a parking charge. Likewise, you'll have to excuse me laughing at anyone stupid enough to illegally park who gets clamped as a result, because frankly, they deserve it.

cast_iron

Well I don't think anyone expects any sympathy off yourself.

I don't have great problems with parking charges per se (I said they should be introduced in UCD itself), but the reason I'm so against these particular charges is there is no shortage of space out there (the main reason parking charges exist), and there's little benefit to anyone but the accountants (of either RDS or UCD).

It's nothing short of racketeering.

Riamfada

I dont have 4 friends. Am I still permitted to drive my car and silver spoon to the exams?

Riamfada

and for the record, that liar VP for students says this fare has been levied by the RDS. When in fact the fare was always there but UCD paid for it. What the **** is mt 4500 a year going on? I assumed it was to pay for my needs in college but obviously i must pay them as I go along.

And you carless people are the biggest bunch of selfish begrudgers ever! Get a job !

Villaricos

Garret wrote:

right, well i get a car, journey, a train and a dart

and have 9 o clock exams

i dont find it stressful at all,

do no buses from your area link up to the city centre, where a 7 or 45 or dart can be taken no?

please explain this, Im suffering from an overstuffed brain - you get
1. a car
2. a journey
3. a train
4. a dart

am I right? Ok well arent all of those a journey?
secondly isnt the dart a train? do you get a second train?


and my point was that yes people could get a bus into town and then a bus out to the RDS but doing this to be there for a 9am exam can actually be stressful experience for some considering they are on their way to an exam and rush hour traffic etc. I admire you for not geting stressed with your car/journey/dart/train thing but just because it doesnt stress you out doesnt mean others cant get stressed about it.

gubbie

I really don't see how it will take that much longer to go to UCD. park there, and then walk down. Maybe 20 mins more. Anglesea Road moves at a snails pace when the exams are on. I'd prefer to be walking then to be sitting in that wreck of a headache

Secondly, anyone getting the bus and that will already have to fork out close to €5 for transport (depending of course where you're coming from) so quit grumbling. Its not like we're getting off scot free