2024 Parking Transformation Initiative

In 2024, UT implemented significant changes to the operations of parking and transportation on campus to improve parking reliability for all users. These changes prioritized a “park once” approach and reduced competition for parking spaces, promoted the use of a robust and expanding transportation network, and provided more predictability for arriving on and moving around campus. The parking transformation improved the on-campus experience for students and staff by reducing competition for parking spaces and enhancing transportation options.

Parking Zones

• Commuter and non-commuter (residential) students are able to buy parking permits for specific “zoned” lots under a tiered pricing structure.
• Zones in the core of campus are more expensive than intermediate and remote lots.
• All commuting students have the option to purchase a Park and Ride Permit at a discounted rate of $99.

Tiered Student Parking

• Student access to parking zones is prioritized by credit hours earned with priority given to upper-level students.
• First-year students will only have the option to purchase remote parking, and there are not enough remote spaces available to accommodate all first-year students.
• First-year students living on campus (non-commuters) are encouraged not to bring a car to campus, if possible.

Faculty / Staff Parking

• Changes to student parking and a reduction in Orange Dots issued resulted in lower permit-to-space ratios, easing pressure on faculty and staff parking.
• Recommendations for faculty and staff parking area assignments continue to come from departments, colleges, or programs.
• No parking rate changes for faculty and staff will go into effect until fall 2025, with an expectation for increases every two years after that.
• All faculty and staff will also have the option to purchase a Park and Ride Permit at a discounted rate of $99.

Technology Upgrades

• The university invested in parking technology improvements to provide real-time space availability data, mobile pay technology, and an updated website.
• Space availability systems were already in place in five campus garages and were deployed in additional areas over the summer, allowing permit holders to see availability before they arrive on campus.
• Employees, students, and visitors are able to complete more transactions remotely, reducing the need to visit the parking office in person.
• The mobile system allows for the validation of discounted or complimentary parking, event parking, dynamic pricing, and interdepartmental billing.

Improved Transit Experience

• UT added seven buses to its fleet for the 2024-25 academic year, reducing wait times across campus.
• Dedicated T buses provide service between Park and Ride lots and Gate 21, operating with an estimated route frequency of 10 minutes.
• Combined and consolidated on-campus routes make the experience of traversing campus easier and more efficient.

Flexible Parking Options

• The addition of more than 1,000 mobile-pay, hourly parking spaces throughout campus will provided flexibility to students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
• Students, staff, and faculty have the opportunity to utilize a nearby Park and Ride lot at a discounted rate of $99. That lot is connected to campus via three T shuttle buses with a route frequency of 10 minutes.
• Evening permit options continue to be available for commuter students only needing to park on campus after 3 p.m. for evening classes or activities.

Walk, Bike, Ride

• You don’t need a car to get around campus. Walking, biking and transit will maximize your campus experience.
• The T serves campus seven days a week with a fleet of 31 buses, 10 fixed routes, and on-demand accessible transportation via the T: Access and T: Link.
• Bicycles and e-scooters are available for rent on campus.

Park Once

• If you drive to campus, plan to park once and walk, bike, or ride the T bus to your final destination.

2024 Mobile-Pay Parking Locations

• Starting August 1, 2024
• Adding more than 1,000 mobile-pay, hourly parking spaces throughout campus will provide flexibility to students, faculty, staff, and visitors.