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Monthly Parking Rates to Rise Slightly in August

Increase is between 20 cents and $2.75 a month

The parking renewal process will begin June 11.

To help cover rising operating costs associated with fuel for transit buses and parking lot maintenance, parking permit rates for 2007-08 will increase slightly.

Rates for non-reserved spaces in decks and surface lots will rise between 20 cents and $2.75 per month, depending on location.

As Duke's work force and buildings grow, so does demand for parking spaces. To help keep parking rate expenses to a minimum while advancing Duke's commitment to environmentally friendly practices, Duke officials are urging faculty and staff to consider other ways to commute to campus when possible.

Chuck Catotti, the director of Duke's Event Management who oversees Parking & Transportation, said that 476 people currently carpool or share a ride to work at Duke. That saves 282 parking spaces -- more than two acres of asphalt.

Start a Vanpool

With gasoline more than $3 a gallon, and rising concern about climate change, now may be a good time to start sharing a ride to work.

Consider Dorothy Wagstaff, a clinical data specialist for Duke Clinical Research Institute. She rides a van with 14 other Duke employees from her home in Roxboro to work.

"It saves gas," she said. "It saves the wear and tear on your car, and there are just so many cars out on the road. With the fumes and stuff, it's bad for the environment."

Wagstaff, who has worked at Duke for 30 years, participates in a van pool program through the Triangle Transit Authority (TTA). TTA provides the van and pays for gas and insurance; Duke's Parking & Transportation Services provides a reserved parking space for the van on campus at no charge and 24 free daily parking passes for each rider to use when they need to drive separately.

The van Wagstaff drives leaves Roxboro at 6:35 a.m. with stops at North Pavilion, then Duke North and Duke South. Since she is one of the drivers, Wagstaff rides for free; passengers pay $69.95 a month.

"Vanpooling or carpooling is the way to go," Wagstaff said. "Just get in and ride with somebody else."

The vanpool program is just one way faculty and staff can save on commuting costs and make a difference in creating a sustainable environment. Duke offers a reduced monthly parking rate and 24 free daily parking passes for people who bike, carpool (three people) or share a ride (two people) to work.

"By taking advantage of alternative transportation options, employees can save money and help reduce the environmental footprint of the university," said Tavey McDaniel Capps, Duke's Environmental Sustainability Coordinator. "Even small steps like carpooling or biking once a week can have a huge impact if everyone participates."

GETTING STARTED

• For a 15-passenger van, get at least 11 people (a driver and 10 riders) who live and work near you and share approximately the same work hours. TTA can assist in finding commuting partners. TTA has vans that seat seven people, so that may be another option.

• Select a primary and backup driver. Determine pickup and drop off locations and times. One leg of the commute must begin or end in Wake, Durham, or Orange counties. The van must travel 20 miles round trip.

• Van drivers do not pay a monthly rate. Passengers generally pay a monthly rate based on total trip miles and number of riders.

• Complete a TTA application and pay a $150 refundable security deposit to TTA.

"If we can balance demand for parking through transportation alternatives such as bicycling, rideshares, carpools or vanpools, we can reduce the number of additional parking spaces we need to build, and leave more of the campus green," Catotti said.

The parking permit renewal process for Duke employees will begin June 11. Notices will be sent by e-mail to current permit holders of parking rate changes in 2007-08.

FAST FACTS

 

• If you have a 2007 permit through payroll deduction, you do not need to do anything. Your new permit will be mailed to your home or work address -- the address Parking & Transportation Services has on file. If you moved, update your address at www.parking.duke.edu.

• If you have a 2007 permit but do not pay through payroll deduction, renew online at www.parking.duke.edu between June 11 and Aug. 3. If you select to pay online, the fee is automatically deducted from your pay.

• With payroll deduction, your permit will automatically renew on a pre-tax basis each year.

• If you do not have online access, visit the Parking & Transportation Services office on Coal Pile Drive between June 11 and Aug. 3 to renew your permit. The office accepts cash, personal checks, Visa and MasterCard.

• All new permits must be displayed starting Aug. 16.

Monthly Parking Permit Rates for 2007-08

 

• Remote Lots $6.55 to $9.30

• Gated/Proximate Lots $29.25 to $33.75

• Garages/Premium Lots $50.50 to $60.50

• Universal Access $77.50

• Reserved Spaces $93.25

• Hourly Parking $1 to $2