06/08/94

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1994-95 parking rates, some program changes announced

STANFORD -- Stanford University parking and transportation officials have announced the parking permit rates for 1994-95, in addition to several program changes including a new "clean air credit" for alternative commuters.

The price for an "A" sticker, which is good in the more central parking areas, will increase by 13 percent, from $248 to $280, under a formula that has been in effect since 1989, according to Julia Fremon, manager of the office of Transportation Programs.

"C" stickers and 12-month resident student permits will cost $70, up from $62 in 1993-94. Nine-month resident student permits will cost $53, up from $47, and departmental service vehicle passes will increase from $372 to $420.

Quarterly, monthly and daily permits are also available in all categories. Prices for the one-day "scratch-off" A and C permits will remain steady, at $4 and $1, respectively. Prices for monthly and quarterly passes will increase slightly.

Complete details will be sent to all employees and students in August, in the annual Stanford Transportation Book. The booklets include an application form for the next year's passes. The 1993-94 permits expire Oct. 15.

The schedule of parking fees adheres to the long-term strategy that was agreed to by the Committee on Parking and Transportation and the Board of Trustees in 1989, and links the fees to program costs and parking construction costs, Fremon said. While the program costs stay relatively steady, the fees rise at a faster rate because users are paying an increasing percentage of parking construction costs. The 1994-95 rates reflect a 45.5 percent contribution to those costs, up from 41 percent last year and 36.5 percent in 1992-93.

Fremon said new long-range transportation plans to be proposed this fall will probably result in new fee policies. The transportation plan for the next decade, being completed by the Planning Office, Transportation Programs and the University Budget Office, should be presented to the Board of Trustees at its October meeting.

In addition to announcing the new rate, Transportation Programs has come up with a number of changes for 1994-95, including:

• The Clean Air Credit. This program will replace carpool, bike and transit incentives with an across-the-board transportation credit of $70 per year to any commuter who does not purchase a parking permit. Fremon said under this program, walkers would be eligible for a subsidy for the first time.

The previous policy, of offering free permits to carpoolers, invited fraudulent claims, and the business of verifying and tracking carpool arrangements became too much for the office to handle, Fremon said.

"We would rather devote our time to carpool matching, vanpool formation and other transportation demand management services," Fremon said.

Non-driving commuters can use the Clean Air Credit toward 18 one-day "A" permits, for days when they have to drive; or sign over the credit to someone with whom they carpool; or get a coupon for free or discounted goods at bicycle shops and other business that cater to bikers and walkers.

"This will enable us to streamline the program and reduce the bureaucracy, and it's a ride-sharing incentive that's fair to everybody," Fremon said.

• "Magic" stickers. The current Velcro hangers will be replaced by "magic," transferable permits that cling to the inside of the windshield like the oil change reminders many auto repair shops use, Fremon said. They can be removed and replaced hundreds of times without losing their cling, and look from the outside like a non- removable sticker.
• Lost and stolen permits both will be treated in the same manner. To cut down on false police reports, all lost or stolen permits will be replaced at half their value (which is prorated as the year progresses).
• Credit cards (Visa and MasterCard) will, for the first time, be accepted when purchasing permits. However, the automatic payroll deduction for "C" stickers will be eliminated.

Besides the program changes, Fremon also announced a few changes of which drivers and parkers should be aware.

First, construction of the Gates Computer Science Building will mean the loss this fall of parking areas near the intersection of Via Palou and Serra Street off Campus Drive West, and the closure of Serra Street in that area. New parking has been added on Lomita Drive near the Old Chemistry Building, and will be added off Via Palou near the Ginzton Lab.

The six World Cup soccer matches to be played at Stanford in June and July will mean congested and restricted traffic on those days, three of which are regular university workdays (see related story). Residents and employees will be mailed brochures describing their options, including enhanced Marguerite shuttle service on game days.

Also, the Stock Farm lot, which had been a free "Z" lot for commuters, is being changed to a "C" lot, because it is no longer considered remote from workplaces because of the number of new buildings in the area.

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