FOR THE CAMPUS PARKER

Change in the Permit Structure

The U-M parking permit fee structure will be dramatically changed for the 2000-2001 season. Fees for two color levels -- orange and yellow -- will be reduced by an average of 60%, while blue and gold will see a slight increase of 1 1/2%. The permit year will begin July 1, and renewal materials will be mailed in early April.

Permit fees for faculty and staff for 2000-2001 will be:   2000-2001 last year Orange $50 $130 Yellow $100 $237 Blue $436 $430 Gold $872 $860

Last year, permit holders only paid for ten months in order to move the beginning of the permit year from September 1 to July 1.

Another significant change for the 2000-2001 permit year will be the relocation of the free parking areas for faculty, staff, and students from campus locations to the Park-and-Ride lots around the perimeter of the city --; Pioneer High School, Green Road, South State Street, and the Maple Village Shopping Center. The current "green" parking areas -- Crisler Arena, Keech and Main, and Glazier Way --; will become "orange" lots. Parking and transportation (via the AATA buses) will be free at the Park-and-Ride lots simply by showing a U-M identification -- no parking permit will be necessary.

"We incur significant costs every year to administer and maintain each parking space," said Pat Cunningham, U-M's parking and transportation director. "A minimum charge of $50 a year --; less than 25 cents per work day --; will help the parking system recover some of its expenses."

Motorcycle permit tags will no longer be required beginning July 1. Motorcycles may be parked in any designated motorcycle parking area free of charge; they are not allowed, however, in regular vehicle parking spaces.

Another cost savings effort will be continued this year with the option of having the permit fee deducted from pre-tax earnings through payroll deduction. Based upon an annual salary of $22,000, the savings with pre-tax dollars would be 27.05% or $117.94 for a blue permit. With a salary of $60,000, the savings increases to 40.05% or $174.62 for a blue permit. With payroll deduction, the permit holder may choose the number of deductions, between one and 11, over which to spread the permit fee.

Questions about parking and transportation changes and alternatives can be answered by calling 4-8291 or visiting their Web site at http://www.parking.umich.edu.

- Diane Brown, Facilities & Operations