Parking fees for most students and employees of Washington University in St. Louis’ Danforth Campus will increase this year. Yellow permits will be $555, an increase of $36. Red permits will be $1,326, an increase of $87. Permits are valid July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015, and may be purchased online or at the Parking & Transportation Services customer-service window on the North Campus beginning June 16.
Steve Hoffner, associate vice chancellor for operations, said fees will pay for maintenance and added safety and security features.
Fees will remain flat for alternative transportation programs. Annual off-site parking permits, valid for designated spaces at the West and North campuses, remain $15. Members of the Occasional Parking Program may purchase daily permits for a discounted rate of $2.50 per day.
Bearly Drivers permits are $200 for carpools with two members, $100 for carpools with three members and $50 for carpools with four members. The U-Pass, which provides free access to MetroLink and Metro buses, remains free. To register for a U-Pass, visit here.
“It’s a priority to keep those options affordable and attractive,” Hoffner said. “As the university continues to grow, parking will grow more scarce. This is the right time to explore different options.”
2014-2015 Parking Rates
Red: $1,326
Yellow, Brown, Blue: $555
North Campus: $297
Evening red and yellow: $124
To better educate the community about the university’s alternative transportation programs, Parking & Transportation Services has launched the “Driving Change” campaign, which spotlights various staff members who have made alternative transportation work for them.
“There are different options for the different types of commuters here,” said Andrew Heaslet, alternative transportation coordinator. “We know there are some days when you just need a car. But many employees have found that one or a combination of our alternative transportation programs serve their needs.”
For a complete list of options, visit here. Heaslet urges employees to set up a personal transportation consultation. He is available at andrew.heaslet@wustl.edu or 314-935-9275.
“Once people start, they find they really love that quiet time reading on MetroLink or the friends they’ve made on their bus commute or the exercise they get riding their bike,” Heaslet said. “I hear over and over from people that the benefits go way beyond the monetary savings. And, of course, reducing your time behind the wheel is one of the best ways you can help the environment.”
Meanwhile, Parking & Transportation Services is moving ahead with other initiatives to improve commuting:
- The Forsyth Bike Path recently was re-marked to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians.
- Plans are being developed for a 900-vehicle underground garage to offset a portion of the spaces that will be lost to new campus construction.
- Officials are exploring the possibility of Metro providing direct, express routes from outlying communities to WUSTL.