Employees and students at the University of Utah are facing a significant increase in the cost of parking permits, with the A parking pass set to exceed $1,000 annually.
The rise in permit costs comes as university officials grapple with full parking lots and escalating operational expenses.
Gabe Smith, a U student working at the writing center, expressed his concerns about the parking situation on campus, recalling many frustrating hours spent searching for a space on campus.
“I can’t tell you how many times I was going around the parking lot for an hour or more looking for parking,” Smith reflected.
Living off-campus now with an alternate parking arrangement, Smith indicated that he would only be willing to pay $500 per semester for a guaranteed parking spot, a demand unlikely to be met under current conditions.
University President Taylor Randall has ambitions to expand student enrollment from approximately 35,000 to 40,000, shifting the institution’s identity away from a commuter-focused campus toward one that embraces vibrant on-campus life.
Collin Simmons, executive director of Auxiliary Services, acknowledged the need for a balanced approach to accommodate both commuters and on-campus residents.
“No matter what, I’m going to have to plan for folks coming to campus, whether it be the train or cars,” Simmons stated, while noting the importance of making suitable arrangements for those needing to park their vehicles on campus.
In fiscal year 2026, the price for an A parking permit will reach $1,024.56, marking a 10% increase from the previous year.
For university staff and faculty, a convenient payroll deduction option allows for the parking permit fee to be taken out in smaller amounts of $42.69 per paycheck, enabling access to both A and U parking stalls.
Students also have the option to purchase a U parking permit, which is available for $426.72 for two semesters, covering parking in designated U stalls.
The university calculates permit pricing based on necessary costs, including maintenance and operational activities related to parking and transit.
In a collaborative effort with the Utah Transit Authority, the University of Utah promotes the use of mass transit, providing access to the majority of UTA services for both students and employees.
Looking ahead to the upcoming fall semester, second-year undergraduate Lucy Demoux plans to utilize public transit instead of purchasing a parking permit, though she admits there are challenges associated with this choice.
“I know transit up here isn’t super reliable, which is unfortunate,” she noted, especially for those commuting from off-campus locations.
Simmons aims to enhance the transit experience for students while considering which areas of the valley are serviced adequately.
“Mass transit in particular can be extremely helpful,” he affirmed, despite occasional frustrations that users may encounter.
Not every individual, however, has the option to rely on transit.
Christina Cottiero, an assistant professor of political science, shared her shift in campus attendance due to logistics, admitting she no longer purchases a parking permit because it is more economical to buy a half-day pass for her teaching schedule.
“For faculty like me, who don’t live near campus or anywhere near a TRAX stop, we pretty much have to drive when we want to go to campus,” she explained.
Simmons reiterated that parking services operate as an auxiliary service, which must be self-sustaining financially.
“It can be difficult to think about having to pay to park where you work,” he acknowledged, explaining that without these fees, maintaining and managing parking infrastructure would be unfeasible.
Despite the recent cost increases, Simmons reported that there has been no observable decline in parking permit purchases; the data indicates either steady or increasing demand.
He raised the question of whether the new rates, implemented recently, might affect this pattern moving forward.
“Maybe, but we have not seen those numbers yet,” he commented.
Looking beyond the current pricing structure, Simmons hinted at the possibility of a revised three to five-year rate plan starting after 2028.
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