Transportation & Parking Services (TAPS)

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Parking Services

 

*NEW* Parking Permit Dispensers:
Pay Stations for Hourly and Daily Permits Shelby Dispenser Pictur

Parking Services is happy to announce the installation of new parking permit dispensers for hourly and daily permits. The new machines are easy-to-use, intuitive, and deliver improved benefits to parkers in our campus lots. The new dispensers accept cash, coin, and credit card and have state-of-the-art technology that will allow them to be more easily maintained and provide more consistent service. Additionally, they will offer the equivalent of an hourly or daily "G" permit that can be used in any "G" space on campus.

Pay Station Locations

Installation of three new machines will occur in phases during the Fall 2008 semester.

  • Phase 1: Physcial installation to occur by August 8, 2008. Software installation and setup is scheduled to occur by August 15, 2008. Machines are scheduled to be operational by August 20, 2008.
  • Phase 2: Physcial installation to occur by August 20, 2008. Software installation and setup is scheduled to occur by August 21, 2008. Machines are scheduled to be operational by August 22, 2008 or earlier.
    • Stadium Lot (enter via Warner Street) along the west perimeter of the lot (behind the stadium seating)

Pay Station Instructions

  • Step 1 - Park in a "G" space. Once you park and exit your vehicle, look for the "Pay for Parking" sign (white with red lettering).
  • Step 2 - Approach the front of the payment station and press any key on the keypad to turn the payment station on.
  • Step 3 - Select the number on the keypad that associates with the amount of time you want to buy. These options include:

    •  
    1 = One Hour - $1.00
    2 = Two Hours - $2.00
    3 = Three Hours - $3.00
    4 = Four Hours - $4.00
    5 = All Day - $5.00

  • Step 4 - Pay by coin, bill, or credit card. Insert the exact amount as the machine does not dispense change. If using your credit card, push in the card and remove it to activate authorization. Once your card has been authorized, the transaction will be completed.
  • Step 5 - Collect receipt from the ticket cup located below the credit card reader.
  • Step 6 - Return to your car and place the receipt, with printed information facing up, on the driver's side of your dashboard. Ensure all date and time information shows through the window.

Call for Assistance

Call Parking Enforcement at (530) 898-5555 for assistance.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Why did you make this change?
    • Existing meters were aging, requiring frequent repairs and parts that were no longer available. Beyond greater reliability, other benefits that come with the new parking technology include:
      • Campus parking permit dispensers, or pay stations, have been upgraded to replace old, failing machines. The new machines provide improved customer convenience, predictability, and reliability.
      • Parkers can now pay by coin, bill, or credit card. You no longer have to worry about having enough change.
      • Everyone gets a date-stamped receipt to prove payment.
      • Any number of rates may be configured on the system giving the University flexibility in addressing different parking situations while giving optimum choice. Old meter technology did not allow the program to change or charge the correct daily rate.
  2. Why did the rates increase?
    • Hourly and daily rates were increased to better align with semester parking permit fees and is not related to the installation of the new machines other than they are part of the costs associated with parking lot maintenance.
    • Rates have not increased in eight years, during which time parking lot costs and inflation have steadily risen. The rate increases have been implemented to help subsidize these additional costs required to run campus parking operations.
    • Campus parking facilities and their upkeep are not supported by taxpayer dollars, but are self-supporting. They are paid for by the users of the facilities through payment of parking fees.
  3. How do these machines contribute towards the University's Strategic Plan?
    • Strategic Priority 6: Sustainability
      • The machines are battery operated. The batteries recharge from an electrical connection at night, when electricity is less expensive. Therefore, machines are using battery power (rather than electricity) during peak electrical demand times during the day.
      • Solar power was initial sought, but cost-prohibitive due to shade coverage that occurs in many of our parking lots.
    • Strategic Priority 5: Institutional Effectiveness
      • The new machines assist Parking in more effective stewardship of resources as well as more consistent service for parkers obtaining a daily or hourly parking permit.
  4. These parking meters appear much more expensive than the old meters. How can the expense of these new meters be justified?
    • The pay stations pay for themselves in a relatively short period of time.
    • Minimized lost revenues should a meter stop working as parking may be paid at ANY parking pay station.
    • The modular construction of the pay stations means that repairs can be resolved quickly to minimize customer inconvenience, maintenance, and service costs.
  5. When does the new parking system take effect? And are the rates and hours of operation changing?
    • The new pay station system is scheduled to be available for use by August 20, 2008.
    • On August 25, 2008, the rates will increase (from $3.00 per day) to $5.00 per day.
    • The machines operate 24 hours a day.
  6. Does this machine take credit cards?
    • Yes, the new machines accept VISA and MasterCard. You will also recieve a receipt (that acts as the permit) to have a record of your credit card purchase.
  7. Does this machine take WildCart card credit?
    • No, not at this time. While the card reader has the capability to read declining debit cards, such as our WildCat identification cards, the vendor is not able to work with our one-card system. We hope to be able to offer that service sometime in the future.
  8. Who do I contact for more information about pay stations?
    • For more information, please call Parking Enforcement at (530) 898-5555. You can also send questions and comments via email to csucparking@csuchico.edu.