Vanderbilt University Medical Center faculty and staff will see an increase in monthly fees for on-campus parking, effective Aug. 1.
The last broad-based fee increase for Medical Center parking was in October 2012. Upcoming changes to the fee structure for permits will impact both reserved and non-reserved parking spaces across the Medical Center campus; including Vanderbilt Health One Hundred Oaks, Crystal Terrace and the ASAP building on West End Avenue.
“Despite annual increases in the operating costs for these services, this increase will mark the only across-the-board parking fee increase in nearly four years. We are constantly looking at ways to control costs and have been successful over a long period of time delaying these increases,” said Gary Streaty, vice president for Facilities Management. “However, after carefully evaluating the financial impact of operating and maintaining our parking facilities and shuttle fleet for the past year, we find it will be necessary to increase parking fees to help offset the impact of rising costs.”
The Medical Center’s annual cost to maintain parking facilities and provide shuttle service totals approximately $11 million. Fees from faculty and staff parking permits support approximately one-third of the cost while the Medical Center funds the remaining balance. The capital cost of building garages is covered by the Medical Center, and is not passed on to faculty and staff.
“Rate increases are not popular,” said Streaty. “To help hold down fees, we are continually evaluating shuttle routes and other services for ways to save.”
As a reminder, Lot 127, located 10 minutes from campus on Chestnut Street, continues to be available as a cost-effective alternative to on-campus parking. Parking in the Chestnut Street lot is free, and is serviced by shuttles traveling to the main campus and One Hundred Oaks. Service is provided until 9 p.m. each evening.
“Many people, including those using mass transit, prefer the Chestnut Street lot because parking there is free and does not require a permit,” said Streaty.
Medical Center Parking and Transportation Services continues to offer lower-cost, alternative transportation options, which include: the MTA Ride-to-Work Program, discounted tickets for the RTA Express buses and Music City Star, plus vanpool and carpool-matching options.
Parking services for patients and their family members are not being altered.
To see the full rate chart please go to: www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/parking.
