Parking Operation Updates
Parking Operation Updates, Coming July 2021
At the start of 2021, we introduced new features to Parking Operations, which included ParkMobile, Daily Rates, and License Plate Recognition Technology. We continue working to address the commute needs on campus and below are some updates on Transportation Services’ progress to better serve Aggies now and in the future.
Daily Fee Types and Rates
Pay to park only on the days you need to drive. Daily rates are here and as the first campus in the University of California system to introduce daily rates to replace monthly/annual permits, we’re leading the charge on improving parking accessibility, while lowering employee costs. As part of our rate structure, we’ll be introducing:
- A+ Parking Reservation for UC Davis affiliates - an exciting feature that will allow affiliates to reserve their parking space ahead of time
- Level Rate Parking Program (LRPP) will allow all employees to access monthly fixed rates within the CBA increase limits and restrictions. This program will be available starting September 2021. Further details on rates and how LRPP will work will be made available on July 1, 2021.
- Electric Vehicle Usage Fees will be included in the daily parking rate for EV drivers who wish to pay to charge and park.
- Parking options for UC Davis retirees
Parking Expanded
We’re keeping a close watch on use in our parking areas to determine if zone reallocation of the Daily A, C, and L zones is necessary. We would keep with the same zone structure, but the zone borders will shift to meet demand, allocating more parking stalls to zones where they are needed most. We’re also working to better serve parking areas around the University Airport.
Payroll Deduction
Soon, you’ll be able to pay for daily parking through ParkMobile via Payroll Deduction. Instead of setting aside pre-tax monies to pay for monthly permits, affiliates can opt to deduct a one-time or recurring amount to be pre-loaded to an e-wallet connected to your ParkMobile account. From there, you simply pay for your daily parking through ParkMobile using your pre-taxed funds.
See Parking Operation Updates FAQ
Parking Operation Updates since January 2021
While Aggies continue to do their part to fully resume campus operations, Transportation Services anticipates a significant reduction in the on-campus workforce, as well as in-person classes for the foreseeable future. Because commute patterns have changed, Transportation Services has adapted its parking operations in a way that can better serve campus and Aggies with flexible work and class schedules.
- Daily Rates
- Transportation Services offers a daily rate to park on campus (effective Jan 1). This daily rate will replace monthly parking permits (January 1, 2021 for students, July 1, 2021 for employees). If your schedule is flexible and you are only on campus sporadically, you only pay for the days you need. >> Learn more
- ParkMobile, Pay-to-Park app
- All parking may be paid from your phone through the ParkMobile app. Register as many vehicles on your ParkMobile account as you like, pay when you park. >> Learn more
- License Plate Recognition Technology
- Transportation Services is equipping all of its compliance vehicles with License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology. These cameras will be able to scan license plates, verify if daily parking has been paid, and move on. Or, if a vehicle has not paid for daily parking, a citation may be issued. You will no longer need a permit hangtag to park on campus. Your license plate, if registered with ParkMobile, will serve as your permit. >> Learn more
Adapting to the times (We've never seen anything like this!)
This has been an unpredictable year, particularly for those in the Aggie Community who have needed to physically be on campus for work and class. Like most of us, we didn’t anticipate a sheltering-in-place order and a reduction in operations (that still continues today). Simply put, as an auxiliary unit on campus, Transportation Services receives no money from the State, University, or student tuition. Our department is responsible for creating our own revenue, which we earn through parking fees. We see no profit and put earned revenue back into the campus, by maintaining roads, pathways, and parking areas.
In a pandemic, how do we pivot an operation of our size and adapt to the short and long-term demand for parking?
To put this into perspective, this time last year, in Fall of 2019, campus parking was around 95% capacity. That is, of all the parking stalls on campus, 95% were regularly in use on campus workdays. Today, those same parking spaces are at 20% capacity. That’s not only a drop in the number of vehicles coming to and parking on campus, it is a major reduction in the operating budget for Transportation Services.
As current operations stand, Transportation Services was not built to fully withstand a pandemic of this duration. So, we're adapting. In these past months, we have made adjustments where and when we can, and are looking at how we can do business in a sustainable way that best serves UC Davis.