In the next chapter for the continued struggle for parking on campus, a new foe appears: increased prices.
The university’s Board of Trustees approved a new parking rate schedule for 2024 through 2028, proposed by Commuter Services in March 2023, that will gradually raise parking fees for drivers.
“Balancing the high demand for parking across main campus and the University of Utah Health campus and appropriately pricing the cost of parking permits has always been a complex and nuanced issue that university leaders need to regularly revisit,” the U said in a press release.
Rising Costs
This past year, parking has become a source of frustration for many university drivers. Many off-campus students rely on campus parking to attend their classes, and some have expressed concern that the price increase could pose a financial burden.
In 2026, an “A” permit will cost $1,024.56, which will be a 10% increase from the 2025 prices.
In 2023, for an off-campus student, a basic parking pass costs $172.50. By the end of the Board’s approved price increase schedule in 2028, the basic parking pass will cost $516.48.
These changes in parking can be aligned with U President Taylor Randall’s vision for “college town magic,” which he describes as the physical development framework that hopes to transform the traditionally commuter school to a residential, student-centered university.
As parking will be harder for some to obtain, this could eliminate the commuter-school culture that the U has developed.
“The university recognizes that addressing parking challenges requires a multifaceted approach,” the U said. “In addition to adjusting permit rates, the university is exploring innovative solutions, such as increasing on-campus housing options to reduce the need for commuting.”
In comparison
Compared to other Utah universities, the U’s parking rates are among the highest. Utah Valley University’s least expensive parking option, the “yellow pass,” costs $115 per year — compared to the U’s basic permit, which will cost $213.36 per semester starting this fall.
At Brigham Young University, prices can vary depending on where students live on campus, but most of the parking prices range from $15 to $60.
Out of these three schools — the U, BYU, and UVU — the U is the only one that does not offer free parking for its staff and faculty.
Eligible faculty can purchase a parking permit through payroll deduction, which takes $42.69 from each paycheck to cover the cost of the pass.
Faculty who are not eligible for payroll deduction must pay the full semester price for a parking pass.
End Goals
According to Commuter Services’ price breakdown, 38% of parking revenue goes toward funding Campus Shuttles and the university’s partnership with UTA.
Commuter Services allocates 21% of the revenue to paying off debt from constructing parking garages and other campus facilities, while 20% goes toward maintaining those parking areas.
The U also cited sustainability as a reason for raising parking prices, noting that making driving less accessible encourages use of public transportation options like Trax.
“By encouraging mass transit ridership and exploring alternative forms of commuting, the university aims to reduce reliance on single-occupancy vehicles while providing equitable access to parking for its diverse campus population,” the U said.
t.sorensen@dailyutahchronicle.com
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