Dornbirn students seek free parking near their schools

Students at two schools in Dornbirn are calling for free parking at the Birkenwiese car park, where fees were introduced about a month ago, ORF reports.

Parking there previously cost nothing. A day ticket now costs 6.30 euros. About 1,400 students attend the HTL technical college and the sports gymnasium nearby. Student representatives estimate that around one-third regularly drive to school and want to park close by.

HTL student representative Luka Kolanovic said free parking should be restored. He said public transport was not a feasible option for some students travelling from the Bregenzerwald or Montafon. Sports gymnasium student representative Sophia Thoma said the fees were too much for some students and that they should be able to drive to school.

The student representatives have launched a petition for free parking and have collected nearly 160 signatures. The schools are served by a bus stop directly outside, and the railway station is a few minutes’ walk away.

Dornbirn Mayor Markus Fäßler said the decision to charge for parking at Birkenwiese had been made years ago and that he could not support reduced fees for students. He encouraged them to use public transport.