This post was updated Oct. 22 at 12:05 a.m.

As I walked back to my car after a long day of volunteering at UCLA Medical Plaza, I saw a red envelope flutter from my windshield in the distance.

My stomach dropped. As I expected, inside the envelope was unfortunately a “City of Los Angeles Parking Violations” ticket. I folded it up, feeling defeated and victim to the LA parking system.

Having a car on campus grants me access to drive to my various jobs and my hometown on breaks. But no transport choice is exactly high quality.

Advocating for accessible transport on campus means participating in school-wide votes on issues like the Bruin U-Pass and staying informed through clubs such as Bruins for Better Transit that promote related services and events. Each student has different reasons for having a car on campus, but we all have the responsibility to fight for better public transport and campus conditions that uphold equity.

“It’s hard enough being a student and having to buy stuff for school like supplies, books, food,” said Ashley Martinez, a third-year cognitive science student. “I don’t think I could really afford to be able to buy a parking space.”

The need or desire for a car would be less prominent if public transportation was safe and accessible.

As a first-year, I cherished the idea of Westwood being a walkable college town and learned to navigate public transport with the free UCLA U-Pass.

“Personal vehicle usage is definitely a very efficient way and direct way for students to travel, especially if they’re a commuter student,” said Isabella Zirn, a third-year environmental science student and graphics lead for Bruins for Better Transit. “We also recognize the very limited capacity that our school has with regards to parking.”

Bruins for Better Transit is a student advocacy club that fights for student transit access at UCLA and around the greater LA area. In spring 2025, the club helped ensure Metro TAP cards were accessible for UCLA students through 2030. But even public transport has its flaws.

“There’s a lot of anxiety around utilizing public transportation, whether it’s safety concerns or unfamiliarity with utilizing different systems and then having to transfer on different bus lines or Metro lines,” Zirn said.

Many students choose to avoid late or inconsistent public transport in favor of a more reliable personal car. But having a car is pricey and comes with its own set of parking and ticketing problems.

“Parking rates have increased marginally over the years in order to maintain the long-term financial health of both the parking system and sustainable transportation programs,” a UCLA Transportation spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “As a self-supporting department, UCLA Transportation receives no state or campus funding. Parking revenues continue to be the primary source of funding, supporting all program expenses.”

I often gamble with street parking at the UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center because there is no designated volunteer parking. I chatted with staff at the center who even have trouble day-to-day finding staff parking.

“It’s an issue about equity,” said Winston Li, a fourth-year political science and statistics and data science student on the executive board of Bruins for Better Transit. “Not a lot of students can afford to have a vehicle, not a lot of students can afford to Uber or Waymo everywhere. Transit is just a lot more accessible, and we want it to be a lot more of a viable option for people so they can use it to get to classes or go home to housing or find places to work.”

Last fall, there were 28,164 commuter students at UCLA. Daily driving for this number of students is terrible because parking is competitive.

“Overall, I feel like it’s really crowded, and that’s why sometimes I don’t drive.” said Natalie Avalos, a third-year electrical engineering commuter student.

While not everyone can afford to have their cars on campus – and it would be far too crowded if everyone could – parking facilities need to be improved.

The UCLA Transportation spokesperson said the department is working on promising initiatives.

“We have a multi-year program to reinvest in our system, including structural repairs to garages and lots, expanded EV charging, upgraded lighting, clearer wayfinding and signage, and technology that improves reliability and access,” the spokesperson said in the statement. “These improvements support safety, sustainability, and a better commuting experience for students, patients, faculty, staff, and visitors.”

While this program will aid the flow of commuters, visitors and staff, current students likely won’t be at UCLA to see these improvements come to fruition.

Students should be able to have several quality transport options to choose from and have flexibility with how to get around campus.