Shared and set-day parking permits coming this summer

By MARTY LEVINE

Pitt’s Office of Parking, Transportation & Services has nixed a gradual annual rate increases that had been proposed for next fiscal year, and will be instituting previously planned shared parking permits and set-day parking permits this summer.

The University also will begin to use license plate recognition tools to identify authorized vehicles in lots and spaces.

Shared parking permit: Current permit holders may update their permit to a shared parking permit for use by two or three people in one assigned parking location. Each shared permit may only be used by one person on each day, in their designated parking place. That means that if more than one person on a shared permit is parking on campus on the same day, the second person must park in a daily garage or lot and pay out of pocket. The cost of the shared permit will be divided evenly among the individuals sharing it. The current permit holders will need to identify and confirm faculty or staff who are approved to share their permit.

Set-day parking permit: Current permit holders may update their permit to a set-day parking permit, which allows parking on only two to three designated days in the permit-holder’s assigned garage or lot each week. The choice of days, and the designated vehicle, cannot be changed from week to week.

Information on how to request these options will be sent to current parking permit holders, allowing them to change their permit type, as well as to those on the waitlist to update their preferences, next month.

“These additional options will provide greater permit flexibility, reduce parking costs for those with flexible work arrangements and accommodate more people seeking campus parking locations,” said Kevin Sheehy, assistant vice chancellor for Auxiliary Operations and Finance.

Pitt has no current plans to open or close any additional parking garages or lots, although space counts may be adjusted to accommodate construction projects, Sheehy said.

The University also is developing a park-and-ride program to pilot later this year.

“Locations are under review in areas not currently serviced by Port Authority,” Sheehy said. “We are also evaluating shuttle routes and ridership from the past year to optimize shuttle plans for the upcoming academic year, in addition to assisting Pitt community members with the transition to POGOH, Pittsburgh’s bike-sharing system, for free unlimited 30-minute rides.”

Parking updates are available at Pitt’s Mobility website; you also can email commuting@bc.pitt.edu for assistance.

Marty Levine is a staff writer for the University Times. Reach him at martyl@pitt.edu or 412-758-4859.

 

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