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Parking and Transportation Services is upgrading the technology at our parking facilities. This move to automated pay equipment will be a significant cost-savings to our department. During the current economic challenge, these efforts will help PTS to continue the programs and services we offer and to keep parking rates low.
Note: this information is subject to updates.
| General Questions | VIP Stamps | Reservations |
| Order Coupons | Project Timeline By Facility | |
| Coupon Instructions & Sample Tracking Grid: Prepaid versus Dept | ||
Who does this affect?
This technology upgrade will affect drivers to campus who use public parking. It will affect departments who make reservations and pay for visitor’s parking fees. Contract holders should see no change. It will not affect those who use meters, loading zones or official university vehicle spaces on campus.
What does this mean to me?
It means that after an initial trial timeframe, parking attendants will no longer be required in locations using this equipment. Reservations and VIP stamp programs will change because a person won’t be there to check visitors off a list or input a stamp number into the computer.
What does this mean for my visitor?
For visitors, parking will not change much. They will still pull a ticket as they enter the parking ramp or garage. When they leave, they will insert that ticket into the machine at the exit and pay by either credit/debit card or cash. Checks will no longer be accepted.
If your department either paid for parking or provided a discount to visitors, you will give them a coupon. This will allow for the same service you provided before.
Where is this happening? What locations on campus will get the new equipment?
PTS started with a testing pilot program in the 21st Avenue Ramp in late summer of 2011.
Lot 37 became operational in Feb. 2012.
Art Museum Garage went live Feb. 2012.
Oak St. Ramp converted April 2012.
Gortner Avenue Ramp went live April 2012.
4th Street Ramp will be converted by the end of April 2012.
In May 2012, East River Road Garage, University Avenue Ramp and Washington Avenue Ramp will be converted.
By the end of the year, all of the parking ramps and garages, along with a few of the parking lots, will be converted to automated pay exit equipment.
Why are you doing this?
This technology is not new within the parking industry and is used extensively in downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul as well as at the Twin Cities airport. You have probably noticed the expanding auto-pay options that are available at local gas stations, grocery stores and hardware superstores.
Again, this move to automated pay exiting equipment will be a significant cost-savings to our department. During the current economic challenge, these efforts will help PTS to continue the variety of programs and services we offer as well as enable us to keep parking rates low.
How are you telling the University community about this?
We will be releasing news via multiple methods (two examples are mass emails and notices in Brief). We will also include updates online on this page. Feel free to bookmark it and check back regularly.
When will the VIP stamp no longer be accepted?
During the next few weeks and months, departments with VIP stamps will be asked to turn in their stamps and exchange them for parking coupons or vouchers that allow the same service that they offer now. We are testing the new technology in-house now and plan to use the 21st Avenue Ramp as the first testing ground. The test on the West Bank should start in July. VIP stamps were discontinued on July 1 and replaced with coupons.
If the VIP stamp program is going away, how will departments accommodate parking for visitors to campus?
The new system will offer two options:
1 - High volume users will have departmental coupons that are billable through EFS.
2 - Low volume users may buy prepaid coupons (paid parking for visitors).
How do you determine high volume versus low volume?
PTS will review your department’s previous use of the VIP stamp program and decide based on those numbers.
HIGH VOLUME USERS
How many coupons can a department get?
PTS will provide departments with a supply based on their past use.
Can you get the coupons within a few days of ordering them?
Yes. Coupons can be picked up or delivered via courier service within one business day.
Do you need to order coupons per month or per year?
Customers will be able to order coupons as needed via an online form (similiar to reservations). UPDATE: That form should be on this Website under Parking, then Department Services around August.
Do coupons expire?
No.
Are coupons something that we need to pre-mail to our visitors before they come or can we give them to them before they leave the University?
Your department can mail them out ahead of time or hand them out at your office/event.
LOW VOLUME
How will a department pre-purchase coupons?
Departments will fill out an online form asking for a certain quantity of prepaid coupons. PTS will print the request and the department can pick them up or have them couriered to your office. UPDATE: The online form (similiar to reservations) should be on this Website under Parking and Department Services around August.
How will the prepaid coupon work?
Visitors will still pull a ticket as they enter the parking ramp or garage. When they leave, they will insert that ticket into the machine at the exit AND they will follow it up with the coupon. Your department can mail them out ahead of time or hand them out at your office/event.
How are the prepaid coupons paid for?
PTS encourages that departments purchase these coupons with an EFS chartstring.
How much do these coupons cost?
There will be two levels of coupons:
$6 for 0 to 4 Hours
$12 for 4.01 to 24 hours
Are the coupons for set increments (if so, what are they) or are they for actual charges?
The $6 voucher coupon will be valid for parking for up to 4 hours. The $12 voucher coupon will cover an individual’s parking for up to 24 hours.
Is there an additional administrative fee per order of coupons or for each coupon?
No.
Will the coupons work in ALL parking facilities?
Yes, the prepaid coupon will work in all public University of Minnesota parking facilities. Note: Fairview Patient/Visitor Ramp is NOT a U of M parking facility.
Reservations will continue at a facility until it is converted to an automated location. As parking facilities are upgraded, those locations will be taken off the Website system. There are 14 facility options to choose from right now. You will see that drop-down list get shorter in the coming months. You can continue to make reservations in facilities on that list.
The 21st Avenue Ramp on West Bank will be the first location taken off the reservation list. Once a location is removed, then you will need to use our new system.
The new system offers prepaid coupons to allow departments to continue to provide paid parking for visitors. For those who made reservations online and relied on the attendant to check event listings, this process will be new for you. For those of you who received prepaid reservation vouchers, you will still need to request the new coupons in advance, but you will not need to print anything. These coupons can be picked up at our office or delivered for you using a University courier at your department's expense.
To place an order for prepaid coupons, individuals will need to fill out a simple form online (very similar to the reservations screens).
During special events on campus, parking facilities often collect fees as customers enter the ramp (NOT at the exit). In these instances, your guests will need the prepaid coupons before they arrive on campus (keep this in mind when planning your communications/mailings). Event parking attendants will accept coupons during events as if they were cash. If this is a problem for your event, please send an email with as many details as possible to Dillon Fried, Event Coordinator, at frie0218@umn.edu.
Find out about events affecting parking on campus at our Event Calendar.
*** More Info To Come ***
