Pay for Reserved Parking. Good Idea or Bad?

explain that one, then maybe the folks that buy fuel and eat in the restaurant can have room to park

 

i think the reserved parking is only to make a extra money for the truckstop,nothing more

 

I stopped at the TA in Greencastle, PA last night. Rolled in around 1930. It was pretty much full up and I figured I might have to pay up but I noticed that there was one free spot left next to the pay spots and I grabbed it. By the time I left this morning there were 4 trucks parked in the pay spots. I guess they are getting used after all.

 

I have a feeling these truck stops are just reacting to a few driver requests that they perceived as perhaps widespread. A few drivers have probably made off-hand comments such as "I'd pay to have a spot to park overnight". I don't see it lasting long term because it's going to be more of a hassle for the truckstop operator than it's worth but I may well be wrong.

At $125k to $250k+ per acre for suitable commercial property with easy-on easy-off access (If you can find land and permitting for a truckstop) is a huge cost to eat when you realize 30% of the truckers consuming parking spaces don't buy any significant amount fuel or goods throughout the week (outside of an occasional sandwich) at their particular chain and I'm talking about the Loves and Pilot/FJ primarily.

Furthermore, on weekends, there are more than you may realize who park at high-volume truckstops and go home for their restart and this is a problem Even just 2 trucks parked for 48+ hours hurts business and hurts fellow truckers.

 

Amen Brother!

 

Ask how you will feel after calling in and paying over the phone and not make it ?

 

Came through Sikeston, Mo the other day and I was pretty darn tired too. Pulled into this little T/S and seen a alot of spots open so I grabbed one. Got parked and was looking around and seen a little sign saying $10 to park for the night. No thank you so I went on down the road even though I was tired and I will never take my business to them. Some might think its the greatest thing to happen since sliced bread but i for darn sure will not pay to park. Maybe the feds need to stop sending our money over sea's and make semi truck parking areas for us drivers instead. Maybe the already do with the amount of trucks on exit ramps...

 

I was in Troutdale Oregan the other day and had to use a pay for spot as all others were gone. By morning all the pay for spots were full. There are some areas where if you aren't in a parking spot by 5 pm, you aren't getting one. That T/A was full all day, Sunday after Thanksgiving. I had paid for the spot Saturday night and figured I would move to a free one the next day, never happened! as soon as a truck would leave, that spot was filled, all day long, so I paid for the spot I was in another night.

 

That was my concern as well. If they are going to have pay parking AND they are going accept advance reservations. The reservation should be held for no more than 90 minutes and payment in advance by credit card or points for a 12 hour slot should be required. if the driver doesn't make it there to report to the fuel desk in time, tough cookies.