New Rate Structure
Harvard University Parking Services
Holyoke Center 8th Floor
1350 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: 617-495-3772
Fax: 617-496-8278
Email: parking at harvard dot edu
Revised March, 2012
On this page...
- A Message from the Associate Director of Parking Services
- New Parking Rates FY13
- Parking Rate Structure (FY12)
- How Our Rates Compare to Other Local Universities and Commercial Garages
- The Benefits of Choosing Payroll Deduction for Harvard Parking Permits
- Pre-Tax Savings Table
- Frequently Asked Questions
A Message from the Associate Director of Parking Services
Dear Harvard University Colleague:
Parking Services is committed to enhancing the commuting experience for Harvard faculty, staff, and students by augmenting the transportation options and programs available to our customers. Proposed advancements include:
- Upgrading our parking and access control system across campus
- Accepting credit cards at all University parking meters
- Undertaking improvements in a number of surface parking lots
- Installing electric car charging stations
- Replacing the elevator in Soldiers Field Park garage
Last summer, the Parking Office relocated to the new Campus Service Center, along with Harvard Housing, ID Card Services and the Travel Registry. Located on the eighth floor of Holyoke Center, the Campus Service Center is a dynamic workplace staffed by customer representatives who assist the Harvard community with front end services offered by these four business units.
The opening of the 10 Everett Street, 695-space underground garage in August 2010 provided faculty and staff convenient parking in the North Precinct while expanding our preferred parking program for carpoolers and owners of low-emitting vehicles (LEV). The newly opened Wasserstein Hall, Caspersen Student Center, Clinical Wing (WCC) above the garage now offers parkers a new convenient lobby with access to facility amenities that enhance the commuting experience.
Beginning on July 1, 2012 parking rates will range from $123.00 per month for unreserved surface parking to $247.00 per month for reserved garage parking – an increase of $10.00 and $20.00 per month respectively. Remember, you can pay for your parking on a pre-tax basis through the University’s payroll deduction system which will reduce the cost of your permit by up to 35% - depending on your income tax bracket. Utilizing this option means the cost of parking at Harvard in FY’13 will be $3.81 to $7.65 per day.
A recent survey showed a record number of Harvard commuters are taking advantage of the numerous alternate transportation programs our CommuterChoice department offers. Only 16% of University employees drive just alone to work – the national average is well over 70%! CommuterChoice has a number of new initiatives coming up in 2012 including:
- Upgrading the MBTA Pass website portal
- Expanding the bike safety training curriculum
- Increasing the number and types of Zipcars on campus
- Employing new technology within Zipcar vehicles
The Commuter Choice program was actively involved in the implementation of the successful Hubway regional bike share program in 2011. Several bike stations were sponsored on University property in Boston and Allston. We continue to work closely with the service providers, the City of Cambridge and other surrounding communities to assist in the expansion of the program this spring.
The Parking Services and CommuterChoice staff members are dedicated to helping you with any commuting questions or concerns. Please contact Parking Services at 617-495-3772 or e-mail the office at parking@harvard.edu. To contact CommuterChoice, please call 617-384-7433 or e-mail the department at commuterchoice@harvard.edu.
Sincerely,
Jim Sarafin
Associate Director of Parking Services
New Parking Rate Structure (FY13)
General student resident and commuter parking is located at the 1 Western Ave garage.
Residential parking is : $3,060
Commuter parking is: $1,584
There may be some Harvard Housing properties that have parking available for their residents that is closer please inquire with the Harvard Parking Services. Please visit our Student Parking page for more information.
IMPORTANT REMINDER:
Parking Services synchronized the permit cycle in FY11 to reflect the changes to the academic calendar and to mirror the fiscal year. The FY13 parking permits will be valid for 12 months starting July 1, 2012, with permit fees adjusted accordingly.
Permit Type |
FY13 |
|
Reserved Garage |
$ 2,964.00 |
|
Reserved Surface |
$ 2,784.00 |
|
Unreserved Garage |
$ 1,584.00 |
|
Unreserved Surface |
$ 1,476.00 |
|
Morn/After/3Day Garage |
$ 1,128.00 |
|
Morn/After/3Day Surface |
$ 1,068.00 |
|
Metered Surface |
$ 444.00 |
|
Evening Commuter Garage/Surface |
$ 72.00 |
|
Motorcycle Garage/Surface |
$ 252.00 |
|
Vendor |
$ 3,552.00 |
|
Tenant Garage |
$ 3,060.00 |
|
Tenant Surface |
$ 2,724.00 |
|
Parking Rate Structure (FY12)
IMPORTANT REMINDER:
Parking Services synchronized the permit cycle in FY11 to reflect the changes to the academic calendar and to mirror the fiscal year. The FY12 parking permits will be valid for 12 months starting July 1, 2011, with permit fees adjusted accordingly.
July 1st, 2011 - June 30th, 2012
Permit Type |
FY11 |
FY12 |
|
Reserved Garage |
$ 2,490.00 |
$ 2,715.00 |
|
Reserved Surface |
$ 2,340.00 |
$ 2,550.00 |
|
Unreserved Garage |
$ 1,335.00 |
$ 1,455.00 |
|
Unreserved Surface |
$ 1,245.00 |
$ 1,356.00 |
|
Morn/After/3Day Garage |
$ 948.00 |
$ 1,035.00 |
|
Morn/After/3Day Surface |
$ 894.00 |
$ 975.00 |
|
Metered Surface |
$ 378.00 |
$ 411.00 |
|
Evening Commuter Garage/Surface |
$ 60.00 |
$ 65.00 |
|
Motorcycle Garage/Surface |
$ 210.00 |
$ 228.00 |
|
Vendor |
$ 2,988.00 |
$ 3,255.00 |
|
Tenant Garage |
$ 2,580.00 |
$ 2,811.00 |
|
Tenant Surface |
$ 2,295.00 |
$ 2,499.00 |
|
How Our Rates Compare to Other Local Universities and Commercial Garages
Unreserved On-Site Parking
Location |
Type |
Annual Cost FY11 |
Annual Cost FY12 |
Harvard Medical School |
Garage and Surface |
$ 2,889.31 |
$ Currently
|
BU Medical Campus |
24-Hour Unreserved Garage |
$ 2,700.00 |
$ Currently
|
BU Charles River Campus |
24-Hour Surface/Garage |
$ 1,599.00 |
$ Currently
|
Northeastern |
Preferred Garage |
$ 2,360.00 |
$ Currently
|
BU Charles River Campus |
Commuter Surface/Garage |
$ 1,120.08 |
$ Currently
|
Northeastern University |
Day Unreserved Garage |
$ 990.00 |
$ Currently
|
MIT |
Employee Commuter |
$ 968.00 |
$ Currently
|
Commercial Parking
Location |
Type |
Annual Cost FY11 |
Harvard Square Garage |
24-hour |
$ 5,400.00 |
Church Street Lot |
24-hour |
$ 4,500.00 |
Charles Hotel |
24-hour |
$ 4,200.00 |
University Place |
24-hour |
$ 3,780.00 |
The Benefits of Choosing Payroll Deduction for Harvard Parking Permits
The cost of a Harvard parking permit can be reduced by up to 35% if it is paid for through automatic payroll deduction. The Internal Revenue Service allows employers to exclude the cost of parking for eligible commuting employees from state and federal payroll taxes. This means that when you use payroll deduction your Harvard parking permit fee is subtracted from your gross earnings before taxes are applied. This is similar to other tax-deferred deductions such as medical insurance and 403b investment plans. Depending on your income tax bracket, this results in net savings of up to 35% off the cost of your parking!
For example:
A staff member purchases a yearly unreserved surface parking permit through payroll deduction. Although the annual permit fee is $1,476.00, this amount is deducted before payroll taxes. Thus, the net cost will be approximately $959.40 - a tax savings of $516.60!
Please refer to the following table for examples of how pre-tax savings compares with net cost.
Pre-Tax Savings Table
Permit Type |
FY13 Annual Rate |
Estimated Net Cost w/Payroll Deduction |
Reserved Garage |
$ 2,964.00 |
$ 1,926.60 |
Reserved Surface |
$ 2,784.00 |
$ 1,809.60 |
Unreserved Garage |
$ 1,584.00 |
$ 1, 029.60 |
Unreserved Surface |
$ 1,476.00 |
$ 959.40 |
Other benefits to choosing payroll deduction include:
- Payroll deductions spread over 11 months for users renewing online.
- The average eligible daily commuter will pay $3.81 - $7.65 per day to park by choosing payroll deduction (average 21 working days per month).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Are Parking Rates Going Up?
Harvard's academic mission has driven extensive campus development on sites formally used as surface lots. The cost to replace parking underground is in excess of $100,000 per space. Compared to open surface lots the cost to operate and maintain these new facilities is significantly higher.
How Much is the University Paying?
Funding for the parking operation, which includes the new parking infrastructure, comes from three sources; an infrastructure fee assessed on all new development, a yearly fringe benefits contribution, and increased parking rates. The combined contribution from the University(infrastructure and fringe benefits) will cover more than half of the expenses for parking. The permit holder will pay the remaining balance.
Can We Increase the Number of Parking Spaces?
While the City of Cambridge zoning requires that parking be provided in the approval process for any new building, other Cambridge regulations effectively limit the growth of parking in the City. Since the late 1980s, Harvard has been subject to a cap on the number of parking spaces allowed in Cambridge. Similar institutional master planning requirements exist in Boston for the Allston Campus.
What Are My Options if I Choose Not to Park?
Transportation Services offers a myriad of commuting options through its CommuterChoice program. Some alternatives to driving alone include carpooling, vanpooling, biking, and Zipcar privileges. In addition, Parking the One-Day Permit Online Permit Purchasing System is available to employees who need to drive to work occasionally.
Will Rates Increase in the Future?
Parking rates are directly related to the cost of operating the parking operation. The operation includes managing the Parking Office as well as the construction and renovation of the parking infrastructure. With additional capital development and restoration planned for the years ahead, the costs to operate the parking operation will continue to increase. Parking rates will be reviewed each year in consideration of all these factors.
