UA Parking Fee Hikes To Be Delayed January 13, 2010 | AZPM

Story by Robert Rappaport

In an effort to "alleviate some of the financial burdens shouldered by our students, faculty and staff," the University of Arizona has decided to delay its planned hike in parking fees next academic year.

Just because the fees won't take effect next year doesn't mean they won't happen at all. They are merely being "delayed."

Parking & Transportation is self-supporting, meaning its operating budget is generated through parking fees and citations and it gets no direct funding from the university. Since the hikes are being delayed, PTS says it may have to delay, or eliminate, previously planned projects and improvements.

Here's a copy of the memo sent to the UA Community:

MEMORANDUM

DATE: January 14, 2009

TO: Deans, Directors, and Department Heads

FROM: David Heineking, Director Parking & Transportation Services

SUBJECT: Parking Permit Prices

In the coming academic year, the University of Arizona will face many financial challenges. To help alleviate some of the financial burdens shouldered by our students, faculty and staff, Parking & Transportation Services (PTS) will delay the planned increase in parking permit fees for next academic year (2010-2011). Therefore, no increase in parking permit costs will occur during the next academic year for parking at the main campus.

Delaying the parking permit fee increase does not mean that the planned increase was not necessary. An increase will still be required at some point in the future to sustain our parking and transportation programs. A sustainable campus environment is our goal; we do not want to minimize the target of decreasing the number of single occupant vehicles coming to campus. We accomplish this in part through management of our parking fee structure and by funding a wide variety of alternate transportation programs. To continue to move forward with a sustainable campus, parking fees will have to be increased at a future date.

The loss of additional revenue expected from the fee increase may result in some of the alternative transportation measures not occurring as soon as planned. For example, a substantial increase in the subsidy for the Sun Tran bus passes will not occur next year. Additionally, the purchase of larger Cat Tran vehicles and expansion of the Park-N-Ride program will be delayed. While enhancements of programs may not occur, we will not see a decrease in any of our present programs or a diminishment of customer service provided by PTS.

As an auxiliary, PTS receives no state funding. We are reliant upon parking fees to maintain and enhance our operations and programs.

Please direct any questions or comments to PTS at parking@email.arizona.edu or 621-3550.