OSU Transportation Services to begin booting cars

COLUMBUS –There’s good news and bad news for those parked illegally at The Ohio State University. Now, when they return to their vehicle, it will still be there, but it may be immobilized by a wheel boot.

The university’s board of trustees approved a plan Friday (5/30) to “boot” the cars of those who have accumulated $50 or more in unpaid fines. Immobilization will occur only after citations are beyond the 15-day appeal window, and a final warning has been posted on the car that fines must be paid within 48 hours.

“Actually, we’re trying to be more customer-friendly by booting cars,” said Sarah Blouch, director of transportation and parking services. “It was far more disruptive and expensive for customers to find their cars had been towed to the impounding lot. This way, they can retrieve their personal items immediately before paying their fines.”

Booting is less expensive to the customer than towing, said Blouch. The tow fee is $60 added to the accumulated citation fines; the boot fee is only $30. Booted vehicles will be towed after 24 hours, and the tow fee will be charged in lieu of the boot fee. The new service is expected to bring additional income of some $12,000 annually to the office, since $45 of the tow fee is paid to the towing company.

“Cars parked in fire lanes or restricted spaces will still be impounded,” Blouch added. “But in most cases, booting will save our officers time and our customers money and aggravation.”

Trustees also approved an entire updated version of the transportation and parking regulations, including a new appeals process for parking citations. “Basically, it’s the same process that has evolved over the past few years,” Blouch said. “Since traffic and parking regulations have not been updated since 1982, some components no longer reflect the regulations as written. We’re clarifying our processes and bringing the rules up to date as the university evolves and changes.”