The Office of Transportation and Parking has several announcements for the Penn Community.

Commuter and Information Resource Portal

As faculty and staff begin to plan their return to campus, a new integrated web resource has been made available at www.upenn.edu/commuting/updates. This site connects you to a robust information portal about commuting at Penn. There you will find important updates, information about discounted public transit and bike commuter options, how Penn Transit can serve commuters who reside near the University, campus parking options, and other valuable resources.

There have been a few important changes that faculty and staff should consider when exploring what commuting options are offered:

SEPTA Paper Passes Retired/A SEPTA Key Card is Required to Ride

Commuters are reminded that paper passes are no longer used by SEPTA. Passengers will now use a SEPTA Key Card to ride SEPTA’s buses, trolleys, subways, and regional rail. Discounted TrailPasses and TransPasses may be ordered from Health Equity/Wage Works. Visit www.septa.org for their latest route, services, health, and safety updates.

Important: All Health Equity/Wage Works commuter orders (e.g.—SEPTA COMPASS Key Card, PATCO, NJ Transit, Commuter Parking Card) must be placed by the 10th of the month prior to the commuting month you intend to use the pre-loaded funds or transportation fare products.

Parking Rates at Campus Lots and Garages

Parking Services has worked diligently to minimize permit rates to the extent possible and remains committed to investing resources to sustain Penn’s comprehensive parking and transportation infrastructure in support of the campus community. The new FY2022 parking rates are posted here and reflect a two percent permit rate increase from FY2020, which equates to an average increase of $4.00/month. The rates remain favorable to comparable parking facilities in University City.

As faculty and staff explore what parking options may best meet their work schedules, there are several factors to be considered:

Individuals Parking on Campus Three or More Days/Week

Anyone parking three or more days a week at University lots and garages will find that a discounted monthly permit ordered through payroll deduction at pre-tax savings is the most cost-effective, reliable, and recommended option. Permits represent the best value with an average cost of $10/day and individuals with permits are assigned to the same garage/lot each day.

Individuals Parking on Campus One or Two Days/Week

Penn Parking will continue its daily parking program in its visitor locations on a space-available basis. Effective July 1, all-day parking will be $17 and five-hour parking $13.

Now Available: Commuter Parking Card for As-Needed Parking

The Health Equity/Wage Works Commuter Parking Card is available to benefits-eligible, full-time faculty and staff who would like to allocate a pre-set dollar amount on the stored value debit card for as-needed parking. Similar to other programs administered by Health Equity/WageWorks, parkers can realize significant tax savings by deducting their occasional commuting parking fees via payroll, up to $270 a month on a pre-tax basis. Any amount over $270 each month is regarded as post-tax dollars.

This card can be used at Penn garages and lots that allow visitor parking. It is intended to cover parking costs associated with your commute to work, and not for parking costs incurred for work-related travel expenses and non-work-related events and activities. (Note – the card is not intended for permit parkers at Penn parking facilities.)

Current permit holders should note that if you suspended your parking permit during the pandemic, it is time to reactivate it, as was communicated by email last week. Suspended permit parkers are instructed to indicate your intention to resume your permit and its effective date. If you do not plan to keep your permit, please let us know so we can more dynamically allocate spaces. Anyone who has not responded by Monday, August 2 will have their permit and credentials canceled.

Also, as you might expect, there is currently a very high demand for parking on campus. Penn Transportation and Parking will do its best to process your application in a timely manner and fulfill your requested location; however, it may not be able to honor your request. You will have the choice to accept the garage or lot available and be on a waitlist for your preferred location.

Lastly, please also consider carpool options that include discounted parking incentives. As commuting information may be updated in the coming months, please monitor www.upenn.edu/commuting/updates for the latest information.

Customer Service Options

For questions regarding placing a new commuter order or updating an existing one, please call Health Equity/ WageWorks at 1-877-924-3967 and follow the prompts.

Inquires about the SEPTA Key Card and available transportation fare products may be directed to SEPTA Key Card Customer Service at 1-855-56-SEPTA (1-855-567-3782).

The Office of Transportation and Parking is your information resource for questions regarding campus parking sites, rates, and availability, or any issues with point-of-sale payment in our garages or lots. Please contact staff at parking@upenn.edu. If you have general comments or concerns you would like to provide about our commuting and parking options, please contact Business Services Division Feedback.

—Penn Transportation and Parking