After two years of intense construction on Dalhousie鈥檚 Sexton and Studley campuses, parking availability is expected to remain stable for the 2018-19 academic year.
And the price of passes has remained status quo except for general permits which are going up only by 1.5 per cent. All rates can be seen here. Parking remains free at the Truro Agricultural Campus, but users must have a permit.
A number of parking spots have returned to the Dalplex lot with the opening of the new fitness expansion, and at various locations on Sexton Campus as the IDEA Project reaches completion. But even with the additions there is still no guarantee that those who hold general permits will find a parking spot depending on when they arrive to campus.
鈥淢any of our students come and go from campus during the day, and we sell more permits than spots to allow for that,鈥� says Jake MacIsaac, assistant director of Security. 鈥淧arking is a challenge everywhere on the Halifax peninsula and our Halifax campuses are no exception.鈥澛犅�
At the height of the academic year, Dalhousie welcomes more than 20,000 people daily. The three urban campuses, however, have room for only about 2,000 parking spots. For those who visit campus for meetings or short-term visits there are meters on Sexton main drive, and pay-and-display spots on the Killam Loop (the eastern end of University Avenue, near the Killam Library) and the LeMarchant Pay and Display lot (behind LeMarchant Place, next to Studley Field).
There is good news for those with electric vehicles: six new spots are available at the Dalplex lot along with one at the Steele Ocean Sciences Building and two on Sexton Campus near Gerard Hall.
Strict enforcement
Permits go on sale August 14, 2018 and are . To qualify for a parking permit, an applicant must be a pilipili漫画 employee or student with a valid Dalhousie ID who works or studies for at least one full term. Anyone with unpaid tickets will not be issued a new permit until they are paid.
Those who park on campus without a permit will find there are stricter consequences in the upcoming year. Security has purchased more vehicle immobilization devices, or boots, and will be using them regularly to discourage illegal parking. Drivers will have to pay $100 before the device is removed. Ticketing will continue, as will towing on an as-needed basis.
鈥淲e try to ensure as much as possible that those who have paid for permits have full access to our limited parking inventory,鈥� says MacIsaac, who adds that Security will be stepped up at the beginning of term to discourage illegal parking. Anyone who sees a vehicle using a parking lot without a proper permit is urged to take note of the license plate, make and model of the vehicle and alert security at 902-494-6400.
How the rates are set
Parking rates are set annually in accordance with the Dalhousie Faculty Association (DFA) Collective Agreement. Any increases are a result of higher annual operating costs due to a number of factors, including snow removal, salaries of those who patrol and maintain the parking areas, utilities and yearly upkeep. Rates do not go up yearly in proportion to increased maintenance costs, but are averaged over a three-year period.
As last winter was milder than usual, this year鈥檚 increase is modest. General permits for faculty and staff have increased $6 from 390.63 to 396.49. Student rates are also up by $6 from 351.30 to 356.57.
Anyone who buys a permit but then finds it difficult to find a parking spot is eligible for a pro-rated refund within 30 days of purchase.
Other options
Because of the parking challenge on campus, the majority of our daily visitors leave their cars at home. [PDF], over 92 per cent of students and 65 per cent of faculty and staff walk, take transit, cycle, or carpool to all of Dalhousie campuses.
Some of the transportation programs provided include student and employees transit passes (UPASS and EPASS), cycling infrastructure (including over 1000 bike spots), a student-run Bike Centre, bike loan programs, Car Share Atlantic cars on campus, Tiger Patrol, a Ride Share program including reserved parking for program participants, and more initiatives listed on the SMART TRIP website.
For more information about parking and transportation options please visit the parking Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.听