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P&T defers some parking
rate hikes
By Dan Heuchert
Summer
parking rate increases have become an annual rite the past three
years. In this year of pay freezes, though, many employees will
see their rate hike deferred for six months, while others will
see no increase at all.
“The
implementation of rate increases should be deferred until we are
able to provide compensation adjustments in some form to our employees,”
said Leonard W. Sandridge, executive
vice president and chief operating officer. “However,
the expectations of faculty and staff for safe and convenient
parking almost ensures that rates for the most sought-after parking
locations will continue to rise.”
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Rate
increases
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Those who park at U-Hall and Scott Stadium (blue and red
permits) will see no increase in their $11 monthly fees.
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Students who park near their dorms (orange permits) will
pay $15 per month, up from $12, beginning June 1.
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As of Dec. 1, those who park in further-out reserved areas
(green permits) will pay $2 more, to $22 per month.
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Beginning Dec. 1, those who park in premium reserved areas
(green permits) will have their monthly fees increased from
$28 to $31.
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Medical Center lot fees will not be increased.
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Jan
Cornell, vice chair of the Employee Communications Council for
the provost’s area applauded the decision.
“I’m
thrilled to death,” she said. “I think it was the good
and right thing for the University to do.”
Parking
fees account for more than 35 percent of Parking
and Transportation’s revenues. As an auxiliary enterprise,
it must fund its own operations, including building and maintaining
parking lots and garages and providing free bus service.
For
the past three years, P&T has increased fees June 1, the beginning
of the permit year. However, this year’s increases for holders
of green, “University reserved,” permits will take effect
Dec. 1. Those holding blue, red or Medical Center permits will
see no increases.
Two
rates will increase June 1. Students with orange permits, which
allow them to park near student housing, will see their rates
go up by $3, while the hourly rate for the Central Grounds garage
will increase from $1.30 to $1.50.
The
increased revenue will go toward construction of a new parking
garage near the intersection of Ivy Road and Emmet Street, and
help offset parking losses due to construction of the new South
Lawn precinct and Studio Arts Building. University Transit also
plans to replace three 20-year-old buses with new models, which
cost $280,000 apiece.
There
are free or low-cost alternatives to parking at U.Va., P&T
director Rebecca White stressed. Charlottesville Transit Service
runs a free trolley between the Grounds and downtown. The JAUNT
system offers van-pooling from Crozet, Fluvanna, Louisa and Nelson,
as well as its “Big Blue” service along U.S. 29 North.
Greene County Transit also offers commuter service from Stanardsville.
See http://www.commuterinformation.com.
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