April 8, 2009 — There will be no increase in most parking rates at the University of Virginia this year.

Rebecca White, director of the Department of Parking and Transportation, said only Medical Center parking rates will increase, moving from $70 to $75 per month, effective June 1.

The Medical Center heavily subsidizes parking, White said, and is passing on some of the cost because it is running a deficit for parking. That will affect about 3,500 of the approximately 13,000 parking permit-holders at the University.

For the rest, "we had had an increase scheduled for this year, but it did not appear to be an appropriate time," White said, alluding to the recession and the University-wide pay freeze.

White said the rates for the other parking areas, which range from $37 to $49 per month, will remain the same through May 31, 2010.

White said interest is increasing in carpooling, which offers incentives such as permit discounts to commuters participating in car or van pools. She said there has also been a surge in occasional parking permits, which are used by commuters who drive infrequently.

The bus system has become more popular with U.Va. employees, who ride free on Charlottesville Transit System buses when they display their University identification cards. White said there are about 26,000 boardings a month by University ID holders on CTS buses.

"Bus ridership tripled in the summer when gasoline prices jumped," White said, "and it has stayed high."

For information about parking and other transportation issues, visit www.virginia.edu/parking/.