University Times

New parking permits, new license plates for University-owned vehicles and 25 new short-term parking spaces are among the changes in the Parking and Transportation area that will be evident on campus this fall.

The new parking permits, which were mailed in July, are good for five years. The validation period was lengthened from one to five years to save printing costs. Instead of a completely new permit, a validation sticker will be issued each year.

New license plates bearing the "University of Pittsburgh" name were installed on many Pitt-owned vehicles over the summer.

According to Parking and Transportation Director Bob Harkins, the plates were supplied free to the University by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation because Pitt is a state-related school.

Changes in PennDOT regulations allow vehicles owned by state-related schools to be treated the as state-owned vehicles. The change will save the University more than $7,600 annually.

The addition of 25 short-term parking meters over the summer resulted from requests by individuals who needed 30 minutes or less to transact business on campus and had trouble finding empty spaces. The meters have been placed in Schenley Quad, the log cabin lot and the visitors' lot at Sutherland Hall.

"Initial reaction has been very positive," Harkins said. "We will continue to look for ways to generate additional short-term parking spaces throughout the campus." Harkins added that Pitt police will strictly enforce the short-term limit of 30 minutes.

In other Parking and Transportation news:

* To encourage bicycle owners to register their bikes, the Kryptonite Lock Corp. has a program that pays up to $1,000 for any registered bicycle that is stolen. Details on the program and registration can be had by calling 624-0687 or sending e-mail to RIDESHAR+@pitt.edu.

* Guest transportation passes for individuals attending conferences on campus are now available from the Department of Parking and Transportation. The passes allow conference participants to ride any of the University's shuttle buses. They are not, however, valid for Pitt Zone travel on Port Authority Transit buses serving Shadyside and Squirrel Hill. For conferences of up to 100 people, the cost of guest passes is $2 per conference participant for the first three days, with subsequent days charged at an additional 75 cents per participant. For programs with more than 100 participants, contact the Office of Travel Management. Further information on the program is available by calling 624-8801 or sending e-mail to TRANSSYS+@pitt.edu.

A parking special events coordinator also is available to make special parking arrangements for conferences, meetings and other events. To arrange for special events parking, call 624-8877 or send an e-mail message to SPEVPARK+@pitt.edu.

* Approximately 2,000 Pitt students, faculty and staff have been using the new Pitt Zone service of the Port Authority Transit each weekday and 1,000 each weekend day since it was initiated on May 1.

The Pitt Zone project allows Pitt students, faculty and staff with valid identification to ride PAT buses free of charge to Shadyside or Squirrel Hill. To evaluate service in the Pitt Zone, the Department of Parking and Transportation is seeking input from users. When calling the department, riders should note the bus route, time, location, bus number and the bus driver's payroll number (on the driver's shirt). Call 624-8612 or send e-mail to TRANSSYS+@pitt.edu.

* Daily commuter parking is available for $2 at the Biotech Center on Second Avenue. Scratch-off permits for the lot must be purchased at the Parking and Transportation office prior to using the lot. No money is collected at the Biotech Center. Because there are no dates on the scratch-off permits, they may be used at any time. The lot is connected to campus through shuttle service. For more information call 624-4034 or send e-mail to PARKING+@pitt.edu.

* To encourage members of the University community to try van-pooling, the Department of Parking and Transportation is offering free trial rides in its van-pools. Van-pools available for trial rides and the hours they serve are as follows: Work hours 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Arnold, New Kensington, Harmarville, Belle Vernon, Monongahela, Charleroi, Donora, Elizabeth, Clairton, Century III Mall, Greensburg, Irwin, Latrobe, Imperial, airport corridor, North Versailles, Lower Burrell, New Kensington, McKeesport, Dravosburg, West Mifflin, Monroeville, Murrys-ville, Monroeville (Garden City), Penn Hills, Sewickley, Bellevue, North Side, Harrison City, Haymaker Village, Wilmerding, Turtle Creek, Wexford, Cranberry, Evans City, Wildwood, Allison Park, Glenshaw.

Work hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Jeannette, Harrison City, Murrysville, Monroeville, Irwin, North Huntingdon, Plum Borough, Holiday Park, Vandergrift.

Contact ridesharing at 624-0687 or send e-mail to RIDESHAR+@pitt.edu for a trial ride in a van-pool.

–Mike Sajna