Tufts University - ParkingCollege Prowler3.08

Parking:

B-

(explain this grade)

Comparable Schools'
Parking Grades:

Quick Stats

Student Parking Lot

Yes

Freshmen Allowed to Park

Yes - However, only if they get special permission

Common Parking Tickets

  • Handicapped zone - $50, and/or towing fees
  • No decal - $50
  • No parking zone - $15

Approximate Parking Permit Cost

  • $250 per year for commuters
  • $500 per year for resident students

Getting a Parking Permit

Talk to TUPD at the beginning of the year to purchase a parking decal. The parking permit is definitely worth it because the ticket prices are so high, but you can always take your chances. To apply for a decal, you must present your valid Tufts ID and the vehicle registration. Students with vehicles registered out of state must provide proof of vehicle insurance. If you buy a parking pass, they will absolve your tickets for that semester. Make sure to put the parking decal on the left side window, so that you don’t have to deal with the hassle of getting ticketed by accident.

College Prowler Take

While driving in downtown Boston can be a bit disheartening, having a car on campus can be beneficial to students because it reduces travel time and adds a lot of convenience to grocery shopping. Parking can be difficult, however, and with three separate police departments all ready to ticket, the costs can add up quickly if you leave your car somewhere you shouldn’t. If you think you’ll need to travel outside of the Boston area, a car can be indispensable. However, for getting in and out of the city, public transit is generally quicker and tends to be less nerve-racking.

It’s almost impossible to find parking close to the dorms, especially around noon when the campus is full of people, but there are plenty of empty spots in the Cousen’s lot. It’s a short walk from the rest of campus, but you won’t really need your car to get to class anyway. Students generally agree that a parking decal is worth it, despite the hefty fee—being able to leave your car in the lots or garages without worrying about constant $50 tickets is a huge plus. Eventually, these do show up on your bursar’s bill, and your mom and dad won’t be too happy.

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Students Speak Out

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Anonymous says:

The campus is small enough that...

The campus is small enough that most people just walk, and I know of no one who drives to classes. Cars are helpful to move around outside of Boston, but the T (the subway system here) is the way to go. Take it from me, a New Jersey driver, that you do not want to drive in Boston.

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Anonymous says:

It is much easier to park as an...

It is much easier to park as an upperclassman. I think you can get a $220 pass per semester. Honestly, the campus is not that big, and it’s in an urban area, so having a car is not really necessary. There is also a shuttle and train access, which makes getting around much easier. I did not have a car until senior year, and I did fine.

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Anonymous says:

Parking is not easy, though, it’s...

Parking is not easy, though, it’s gotten a lot better since they built the parking garage. Use the car for off-campus travels—you can walk to everything on campus.

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Anonymous says:

You can’t have a car on campus as...

You can’t have a car on campus as a freshman, at least not legally. You can park it off campus, but then you’ll probably get a ticket, or have trouble finding a place. It’s a crowded area. You can have a car after freshman year, but parking is a little bit of a problem.

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Anonymous says:

It’s easy to park, but freshmen...

It’s easy to park, but freshmen can’t have cars. You need a very cheap parking permit, but then it’s not a problem.

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Interested in
Tufts University?

Parking Services

TUPD Administrative Services
419 Boston Ave.
(617) 627-3692
parking@tufts.edu

Did You Know?

Best Places to Find a Parking Spot
Cousens Lot
South Lot

Good Luck Finding a Spot Here!
Carmichael Lot
Latin Way Strip

Most Recent Contributing Author

Name: Chris Cote
Hometown: Ipswich, MA
Major: International Relations

Fun Fact: Chris is on the Tufts Ultimate Frisbee team.

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