Press Release - Rate and Program Modifications - November 20, 2008

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CONTACT:
Bill Davidson
Marketing Manager
Parking & Transportation Services
1117 E. Sixth Street
Tucson, AZ  85721
520-626-9655 or 520-621-3550

DATE: November 20, 2008

SUBJECT: Change in UA Parking Rate Increase and Transportation Choices for 2009-2012

Tucson, AZ. Due to the current economic and campus environments, University of Arizona President Shelton has authorized a change in the recently approved parking program. Parking & Transportation Services (PTS) will modify next year’s rate increase and will implement approximately a $50 increase instead of the $116.

Modified Rate Changes—Beginning in Fall 2009, the majority of permit prices will increase by $50 per year for the first year and by $116 per year for the second and third years. This equates to less than 20 cents per day or less than $5 per month in the first year, and by less than 50 cents per day or less than $10 per month in the second and third years.

With the new rates, we want to be sure that there are transportation choices available for the entire campus community.  Our alternative transportation programs include inexpensive means to get to campus and are designed to assist those who will not have a vehicle on campus. Different pricing structures are available to help accommodate the individual’s budget and even provide low cost off campus parking with timed shuttle service.

Our goal of reducing the number of single occupancy cars on campus, reducing traffic congestion and providing more sustainable transportation choices will dramatically improve our environment and reduce our carbon footprint. In keeping with a sustainable campus philosophy, and meeting the demands of campus growth, the following changes will occur in the 2009-2012 school years.

Modified Implementation Timetable for Alternative Transportation Programs and Improvements – The revenue generated from the rate increase will pay for phased in Alternative Transportation programs. A modified timetable has been developed in line with the new rate structure:
2009-2010:
1.  Car Sharing Program
2.  Bike Sharing Program
3.  New garage construction and parking lot development funding
4.  Enhanced Carpool Program
5.  A student payment plan
2010-2011:
6.  A substantial increase in the Sun Tran Bus Pass Subsidy Program
7.  New Park & Ride Lots
2011-2012:
8.  New On-Campus Cat Tran Shuttle Routes
9.  Prepaid daily parking in garages
10.Automated pay stations for our garages

An open forum to learn about the specifics on all the upcoming changes to the PTS programs will be held at the Student Union Memorial Center in the Kiva Room on December 3 from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. In addition to a formal presentation by PTS at 11:30 a.m., the open forum will also feature a Q&A session from noon to 1:00 p.m.  Specific rate changes, new program information and Q&A’s may be found at:
www.parking.arizona.edu/programchanges.                                               
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