New Rate Structure
Harvard University Parking Services
46 Blackstone Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
Phone: 617-495-3772
Fax: 617-495-9119
Email: parking at harvard dot edu
Revised April, 2008
On this page...
- A Message from the Associate Director of Parking Services
- New Parking Rates 2008/2009
- 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
For a detailed account of the challenges facing Harvard Parking Services and the comprehensive plan designed to handle growth at the University please click on Transportation Strategic Plan.
A Message from the Associate Director of Parking Services
April 2, 2008
Dear Harvard University Colleague:
There have been several exciting developments over the past twelve months that have visibly changed the parking landscape at Harvard. In August 2007, Harvard Real Estate Services and Harvard Parking Services proudly completed work on the 5 Cowperthwaite graduate housing and garage project. In addition to providing 189 spaces of underground parking in the Riverside area, surface parking returned to a restored Cowperthwaite Street. Construction continued on the new 10 Akron Street housing project, which includes a 120 space underground garage. The facility is scheduled to open this summer. The most significant developments took place on the perimeters of the campus. The Everett Street garage was taken down last summer to make room for the new Law School Northwest Corner project, which will include a 700 space underground garage. Construction has begun on the First Science project in Allston, with 370 spaces of underground parking included in the design. All of the new facilities are the result of the University's continued commitment to develop new classrooms, labs, offices, and housing.
As you may know, the new parking garages are being built underground because available sites for new University buildings are limited. Unfortunately, the cost to build and maintain these facilities is much higher than surface parking lots. To pay for this infrastructure work, the University developed a financial plan several years ago that provides substantial subsidies to parking users. As a result, faculty and staff parkers currently only pay about one-third of the cost of providing convenient, on-campus parking.
Even with this significant financial support, rising costs of construction and operation will require an increase in parking rates in the next academic year. Starting September 2008, annual permits will range from $1,070 for unreserved surface parking to $2,135 for reserved garage parking. Remember, if you pay for commuter parking through the University payroll deduction program, your fees are exempt from income and payroll taxes. This can reduce the net cost of your parking permit up to 35%, depending on your income tax bracket. By taking advantage of these important tax benefits, the convenience of parking at Harvard only costs about $2.67 to $5.34 per day.
In addition to the construction of the new garages in Cambridge, we continue to improve all of our transportation services. Passenger Transport and Shuttle Services recently installed new GPS bus tracking devices on all its vehicles. We implemented a pilot incentive program to provide preferred parking for ultra-low emission vehicles at the Business School. Initiatives planned for next year include updates to the MBTA pass program, which will allow additional pre-tax savings for commuters who travel by bus and vanpool. We are also finalizing plans for the Francis Avenue lot resurfacing project, which will include a covered bike shelter and installation of new advanced meters that will improve short stay parking. For more detailed information on parking rates, programs and initiatives, please visit the Transportation Services website at: www.uos.harvard.edu/transportation.
The Parking Services and CommuterChoice staff members are dedicated to help you with any commuting questions or concerns. Please contact Parking Services at 617-495-3772 or email the office at parking at harvard dot edu. To contact a CommuterChoice representative please call 617-384-7433 or email the department at commuterchoice at harvard dot edu.
Sincerely,
Jim Sarafin
Associate Director of Parking Services
New Parking Rate Structure 2008/2009
Permit Type |
FY08 |
FY09 |
|
Reserved Garage |
$ 1,975.00 |
$ 2,135.00 |
|
Reserved Surface |
$ 1,860.00 |
$ 2,010.00 |
|
Unreserved Garage |
$ 1,060.00 |
$ 1,145.00 |
|
Unreserved Surface |
$ 990.00 |
$ 1,070.00 |
|
Morn/After/3Day Garage |
$ 755.00 |
$ 815.00 |
|
Morn/After/3Day Surface |
$ 710.00 |
$ 765.00 |
|
Metered Surface |
$ 300.00 |
$ 325.00 |
|
Evening Commuter Garage/Surface |
$ 50.00 |
$ 50.00 |
|
Motorcycle Garage/Surface |
$ 165.00 |
$ 180.00 |
|
Vendor |
$ 2,370.00 |
$ 2,560.00 |
|
|
Tenant Parking (12-month basis) |
|||
Tenant Garage (Broadway) |
$ 2,050.00 |
$ 2,215.00 |
|
One Western Avenue |
$ 2,050.00 |
$ 2,215.00 |
|
5 Cowperthwaite St. |
$ 2,050.00 |
$ 2,215.00 |
|
Peabody Terrace |
$ 2,050.00 |
$ 2,215.00 |
|
29 Garden Street |
$ 2,050.00 |
$ 2,215.00 |
|
DeWolfe Street |
$ 2,050.00 |
$ 2,215.00 |
|
Tenant Surface |
$ 1,820.00 |
$ 1,965.00 |
|
How Our Rates Compare to Other Local Universities and Commercial Garages
Unreserved On-Site Parking
Location |
Type |
Annual Cost FY07 |
Annual Cost FY08 |
Harvard Medical School |
garage and surface |
$ 2,124.00 |
$ 2,294.00 |
BU Medical Campus |
24-hour unreserved garage |
$ 1,680.00 |
unavailable |
BU Medical Campus |
24-hour unreserved surface |
$ 1,680.00 |
unavailable |
BU Charles River Campus |
24-hour surface/garage (overnight is surface only) |
$ 1,439.00 |
$ 1,482.00 |
Harvard University |
unreserved garage |
$ 980.00 |
$ 1,060.00 |
BU Charles River Campus |
commuter surface/garage |
$ 1,002.00 |
$ 1,032.00 |
Harvard University |
unreserved surface |
$ 915.00 |
$ 990.00 |
Northeastern University |
day |
$ 870.00 |
$ 970.00 |
MIT |
day |
$ 638.00 |
$ 737.00 |
Commercial Parking
Location |
Type |
Current Cost |
Harvard Square Garage |
24-hour |
$ 5,100.00 |
Church Street Lot |
24-hour |
$ 4,380.00 |
Charles Hotel |
24-hour |
$ 4,200.00 |
University Place |
24-hour |
$ 3,720.00 |
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 $990.00, this amount is deducted before payroll taxes. Thus, the net cost will be approximately $644.00 - a tax savings of $346.00! This brings the actual cost of a parking permit to only about $2.56 per workday!
Please refer to the following table for examples of how pre-tax savings compares with net cost.
Pre-Tax Savings Table
Permit Type |
FY09 Annual Rate |
Estimated Net Cost w/Payroll Deduction |
Reserved Garage |
$ 2,135.00 |
$ 1,387.75 |
Reserved Surface |
$ 2,010.00 |
$ 1,306.50 |
Unreserved Garage |
$ 1,145.00 |
$ 744.25 |
Unreserved Surface |
$ 1,070.00 |
$ 695.50 |
Other benefits to choosing payroll deduction include:
- Additional increased payroll deductions periods for users renewing online (11 months).
- The average eligible daily commuter will pay $2.83-$5.66 per day to park by choosing payroll deduction.*
*These figures based on an average of 245 scheduled workdays per year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Are Parking Rates Going Up?
Harvard's academic mission is driving extensive campus development on sites currently used as surface lots. The cost to replace parking underground is in excess of $75,000 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 64% of the expenses for parking. The permit holder will pay the remaining 36%.
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 Services implemented several new permit types two years ago to offer parkers different options at reduced rates. Also, 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.
