Campus parking permits prices will rise this coming fall as part of a three-year plan to help fund new garage construction and on-campus sustainability programs, such as car and bike sharing programs.

The plan was developed in response to a transportation needs assessment study conducted for The University of Arizona and the Pima Association of Governments during 2007-2008. The study recommended a price increase to help fund measures to accommodate future growth at the University, which is one of the largest activity hubs in metropolitan Tucson, with more than 50,000 students and employees plus visitors.

The majority of parking permits will increase in price by $116 per year during the first two years of the plan and by an additional $50 in the third year for a total increase of $282.

The additional revenue will fund programs to help the University achieve its goals of reducing the number of single-occupancy cars on campus, reducing traffic congestion and providing sustainable transportation choices, according to Parking and Transportation Services.

Among the new programs to be implemented in the next three years are car and bike sharing programs, which will allow campus community members to reserve automobiles or bicycles for temporary use, a model that has been successful at other college campuses, including Arizona State University, said Bill Davidson, marketing manager for PTS.

"It’s primarily used for someone who might take the bus to work but need to go off campus for an appointment during the day," Davidson said.

While fees and details are yet be determined, Davidson said the sharing programs are expected to be in place by summer 2009.

Beginning in July 2009, PTS also will offer an enhanced Sun Tran Bus Subsidy Program that will allow UA students and employees to purchase low-cost, subsidized bus passes for between $10 and $50, depending on the pass, Davidson said.

A discounted Sun Tran U-Pass for students or employees currently costs $70 to $156.

Other future parking changes include increasing the number of park-and-ride lots offering shuttle service from the outskirts of campus, increasing the number of on-campus Cat Tran routes, offering student parking permit payment plans, offering prepaid daily garage parking and installing automated pay stations in campus garages.

Approximately 45 percent of revenue from the 2009-2010 permit price increase will go toward a new garage construction account, with plans to build a $30 million, 1,500-space parking garage.

Davidson said PTS is considering building the garage near the Student Recreation Center, and construction would likely begin in about two years.

The UA’s current parking permit prices are less than half the average charged by local parking lots and garages, according to PTS.

For permit holders, the three-year increase will equate to an increase of less than 50 cents per day, or less than $10 per month, during the first two years and less than 20 cents per day, or less $5 per month, in the third year.

Annually, the University sells approximately 6,500 garage permits, 3,100 Lot Specific permits, 3,300 permits for Zone 1 and South of Sixth Street lots and 1,000 off-campus permits.

Prices will increase by permit type as follows:

Current rates:

Parking structure $518

Lot Specific $418

Zoned Lots (Zone 1 and South of Sixth) $303

Off-Campus Park and Ride $153

Proposed rates for 2009-2010:

Parking structure $634

Lot Specific $534

Zoned Lots (Zone 1 and South of Sixth) $427

Off-Campus Park and Ride $232

Proposed rates for 2010-2011:

Parking structure $750

Lot Specific $650

Zoned Lots (Zone 1 and South of Sixth) $550

Off-Campus Park and Ride $300

Proposed rates for 2011-2012:

Parking structure $800

Lot Specific $700

Zoned Lots (Zone 1 and South of Sixth) $600

Off-Campus Park and Ride $350