University Regulations: Parking & Transportation Services

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Parking & Transportation

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The Department of Parking and Transportation is committed to providing parking for students, employees, patients, visitors, and event patrons while meeting current and future land use needs.  The University Transit Service is dedicated to providing safe, sustainable, and reliable transportation to the U.Va community.

For additional information on any of the following information, please visit the Parking & Transportation (P&T) web site, www.virginia.edu/parking, or call 434-924-7231

1. General Information
   The Department of Parking and Transportation actively seeks to provide transportation services that are safe, reliable, and convenient while also being sustainable and environmentally responsible.  P&T works to educate the U.Va community on existing alternative transportation modes available on Grounds and in the greater Charlottesville area while exploring new and innovative options. 
2. Bicycles and Electric Bicycles
   Cycling is a healthy, convenient, and environmentally friendly transportation alternative. There are several designated bike paths, trails, and routes throughout Charlottesville that make it safe and convenient for cyclists. For detailed information regarding bike routes in and around Grounds, refer to the U.Va SMART Transportation Map. All persons riding a bike are encouraged to ear a helmet, must obey all applicable traffic regulations, and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians. When parked outside, bikes should only ever be parked at and secured to a bike rack. 
   Bikes that are not properly stored, as described in the University Bicycle Policy, will be impounded by the P&T and assessed an impoundment fee. Visit the P&T website for more information. Students are encouraged to register their bike with the University Police Department (UPD), which may help in its recovery in case the bike is lost of stolen. More information can be found on the UPD website.
3. Scooters and Electric Scooters
   Scooters are treated much in the same way as bicycles and are a lot of fun to ride in addition to being an  excellent alternative transportation option for getting around Grounds quickly. U.Va and Charlottesville have partnered with Veo to bring the community rentable electric scooters and bikes. Please note that all persons riding a scooter are required to wear a helmet, obey all applicable traffic regulations, and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians. When parked outside, scooters should only ever be parked at and secured to a bike rack. Scooters that are not properly stored, as described in the University Scooter Policy, will be impounded by P&T and assessed and impoundment fee. Visit the P&T website for more information. Students are encouraged to register their scooter with the University Police Department (UPD), which may help in its recovery in case the scooter is lost or stolen. More information can be found on the  UPD website.
4. Mopeds
   Mopeds are akin to motorcycles and are an increasingly popular transportation option for those wanting to forgo using a car. Mopeds are considered a motor vehicle when in operation, are subject to all the same rules of the road and cannot be ridden on sidewalks or bike paths. Moped operators must wear a helmet at all times.  All mopeds are required to have a parking permit to park on Grounds and can only park in areas designated as moped parking or in Blue/Commuter parking.
5. Car Sharing
   Worried about not having a car while at U.Va? P&T has partner with Zipcar to provide car sharing services to all U.Va students, faculty, and staff 18 or older with a valid driver’s license. Once approved, Zipcar members are able to rent any of the several vehicles stationed around Grounds, which can be reserved either by the hour or by the day. All reservations include gas, insurance, maintenance, and 180 miles per 24-hour reservation. Visit the Zipcar website for more information.

1. Intercity Transit
   Charlottesville is served by several mass transportation service providers, including Amtrak passenger rail service, Greyhound intercity bus transportation, and various airlines at the Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO). 

1. General Information
   The University Transit Service (UTS) operates several fare-free fixed routes providing transportation throughout Grounds on a year-round basis.  UTS is available to all students, faculty, and staff.  Please visit the University Transit Service website to view the current route system.
2. GPS Arrival Predictions
   Riders can receive arrival predictions using the TransLoc GPS system on the Parking and Transportation website, the mobile U.Va website, text messaging, or through mobile apps available for iPhone, Android, and Blackberry phones.  More information about the TransLoc system is available on the Parking and Transportation website.
3. Charters
   UTS offers Charter Services to accommodate the special transportation needs of various academic groups and affiliates of the University of Virginia.  Charter policies, available vehicles, and reservation instructions are listed on the Parking and Transportation website.
4. Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT)
   University of Virginia students, faculty and staff can ride the Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT) for free with a valid U.Va ID.  This fare-free program, funded by the University of Virginia, provides access to popular off Grounds locations such as the Fashion Square Mall, Rio Hill Shopping Center, and the Downtown Mall.  Fare-free open ridership does not apply to the CAT Football Shuttle.  Please visit the Charlottesville Area Transit website for routes and schedules:  http://www.charlottesville.org/transit
5. Service Schedules
   UTS operates on different levels of service based on the academic, health system, and holiday calendar.  Please visit the Parking and Transportation website for details on the specific service definitions.
6. Student Employment
   Students are the primary driving force behind the University Transit Service.  UTS recruits and trains students to earn their CDL license and operate the transit buses in the U.Va fleet.  Once employed, student drivers also have the opportunity to serve on a UTS Committee (Safety, Marketing, Recruiting & Retention, or Public Relations) and operate chartered bus service. Students who are interested in becoming a bus driver should visit the University Transit Service website or e-mail UTS at drive4uts@virginia.edu.

1. Permit Options
   1. Students with Disabilities
      Students with a permanent or temporary physical handicap who hold a U.Va parking permit may submit requests to the Elson Student Health Center for special permits entitling them to reserved parking. In addition, these permits allow parking at meters free of charge, service spaces, and in designated handicapped spaces.
                    Elson Student Health Center
                    400 Brandon Avenue
                    P.O. Box 800760
                    Charlottesville, VA 22908-0760
                    (434) 924-5362
                    E-Mail: studenthealth@virginia.edu
                    Website: www.virginia.edu/studenthealth
2. Demand and Response Transportation (DART)
   The Demand and Respond Transportation Service has been developed with the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs to provide transportation to those who, because of permanent or temporary disability, are unable to use the regular, fixed-route UTS bus service. An application must be completed to establish individual needs and services requirements.  All information disclosed in the application is kept confidential. Applicants that are approved for DART service should review the DART Riders’ Guidelines available on the Parking and Transportation website prior to scheduling their first DART ride.
3. Event Parking for Those with Disabilities
   The Parking and Transportation website provides information for disability parking options for Football games at Scott Stadium and for events at the John Paul Jones Arena.

1. General Information
   Due to the parking demand associated with large events at the University, permit holders will be asked to vacate parking lots by a certain time. Vacate notices will be posted at each parking lot in advance, and will be posted on the Parking and Transportation website.
   Common events that require certain lots to be cleared are large events at the John Paul Jones Arena including Men’s Basketball games, Football games at Scott Stadium, select events at Cabell Hall, and large University events such as Final Exercises. Please visit the Parking and Transportation website for additional information.

1. General Information
   Parking restrictions are in effect year round, seven days a week. Signs at the lot entrances denote specific permit restrictions. In many lots, restrictions are in place at all times (designated as “all times” lots) or modified after 3:30 PM or 5:00 PM. Special events (plays, concerts, athletic events, etc.) parking may also modify the availability of parking in certain lots. Check the signs at every entrance/space for exact restrictions.
   The Department of Parking and Transportation or the Department of Police may immobilize or remove and put into storage any vehicle in violation of University Parking Regulations. Costs of such removal and storage are charged against the individual in whose name the car is registered. Towed vehicles may be retrieved by the owners at the appropriate towing company office.
2. Parking Regulations
   Current Parking Regulations are listed on the Parking and Transportation website at this address:
   http://www.virginia.edu/parking/citations/regulations.html
3. Appealing a Citation
   Any person who has been issued a parking ticket may file for an appeal hearing with the Department of Parking and Transportation provided that no more than fourteen (14) calendar days have elapsed since the issuance of the ticket.
   1. Appeals may be submitted on-line on the Parking and Transportation website or may be mailed to our Hearings Officer at:
      U.Va Department of Parking and Transportation
      ATTN: Hearings Officer
      P.O. Box 400000
      Charlottesville, VA 22904-4000
   2. Please include the citation number, license plate of the vehicle that received the citation, and a mailing address for  Hearing Officer correspondence
   3. The current policy regarding Appeals is available on the Parking and Transportation website at this address:
      http://www.virginia.edu/parking/citations/hearings.html
4. Paying a Citation
   Citations may be paid on-line on the Parking and Transportation website using most major credit cards or may be mailed to the main office at:
   U.Va Department of Parking and Transportation
   P.O. Box 400000
   Charlottesville, VA 22904-4000

   When mailing in your payment, please include the bottom portion of the citation with your payment (check or money order). Write the citation number or the license plate number in the memo field of the check or money order. Please do not send cash through the mail.

5. Vehicle Immobilization and Removal
   The Department of Parking and Transportation or the Department of Police may immobilize or remove and put into storage any vehicle in violation of University Parking Regulations.

   Costs of such removal and storage are charged against the individual in whose name the car is registered. Towed vehicles may be retrieved by the owners at the appropriate towing company office (see list of authorized companies below).

   Any student, staff or faculty member whose driving or parking privileges are compromised as a result of a vehicle parked in violation of University Parking Regulations may request that the Department of Parking and Transportation take action against the violating vehicle. After hours the U.Va Police Department will respond to such requests. Ticketing and towing of violating vehicles may result.

   More information is available on the Parking and Transportation website. 

1. General Information
   Except for first-year undergraduate students, all students may own and/or operate motor vehicles at the University and in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. To park motor vehicles on the University Grounds, a permit must be purchased from the Department of Parking and Transportation Services.
2. Temporary and Occasional Parking Permits
   Depending on availability, students may purchase temporary and occasional parking permits to park in certain areas on Grounds. Occasional parking permits provide a parking option for those who normally bike, walk, or carpool to Grounds but need to occasionally use their own vehicle.
3. On-Grounds Students
   Depending on availability, students living in on-Grounds student housing may purchase Reserved Parking permits for lots near their residence.  Alternatively, students living on-Grounds may choose to purchase the less expensive storage permit valid in the 4th and 5th floors of the Emmet/Ivy Garage.   
4. Off-Grounds Students
   Depending on availability, students living off-Grounds may  purchase Commuter or Reserved parking permits  Prices vary by location.
5. Purchasing a Permit
   Students Living On-Grounds may purchase a permit each year beginning in August. Students Living Off-Grounds may purchase a permit at anytime during the year online.
   Please note that Student Permits are not automatically renewed from year-to-year. All outstanding balances must be paid prior to purchasing or renewing a permit.
6. Vehicle Registration
   Individuals may register their own, their spouse’s, or their parent’s vehicle. Parking permits will not be issued for trail bikes, mini-bikes, snowmobiles, cargo trailers, boats, campers, mopeds (under 50cc’s), etc.
7. Motorcycles and Mopeds
   Special “motorcycle only” and “moped only” parking areas have been designated throughout Grounds. A Commuter or Storage permit is required to park within both areas.
   Motorcycles parked in a regular parking space within a parking lot (i.e., a space that either a car or motorcycle could use) are subject to the same permit restrictions as cars.
8. Replacement Permits and Returning Permits
   Lost or damaged permits may be replaced by paying a nominal fee. When a vehicle is sold or traded, the permit must be removed because citation liability continues to apply to the original permit holder.
   Parking and Transportation will issue refunds for parking permits returned prior to the expiration date of the permit. Refunds are prorated and are not issued for amounts less than $5.00.
9. Parking Enforcement - Parking permits can be revoked at the discretion of the University if the permit holder has been proven to abuse his/her privilege. Fraudulent misuse and abuse of patient parking or the display of a lost, stolen, or counterfeited permit is punishable by administrative fine and total revocation of parking privilege. Parking permits are the property of the University and may be physically removed from the bearer’s vehicle by U.Va representatives if the permit is not voluntarily returned upon revocation.

Any person anticipating a temporary parking problem regardless of duration should contact Parking and Transportation at (434) 924-7231 in advance to seek possible options. Unless arrangements are made in advance, illegally parked vehicles are subject to citation and/or towing at the owner’s expense. 

Due to limited parking on Grounds during the academic semester, visitors and guests are encouraged to purchase a Temporary Blue Permit to park in the Blue designated parking areas at U-Hall and the John Paul Jones Arena.   Visitors may also pay to park at various meters on Grounds or in the Central Grounds Garage on a first-come, first-served basis.  Please visit the Parking and Transportation website for additional information.