Please note: Flex parking permits typically represent about 10% of available parking permits. The program is very popular and regularly fills very early in the application process. Long waitlists are common. The program will be expanded and more permits offered for the 2020-21 year to help assist with the increase of telecommuting employees due to the ongoing public health crisis. Even with a larger program, availability may be somewhat limited.
The less you park, the less you pay.
The Flex parking program is designed to complement alternatives to driving, such as biking, walking, telecommuting and taking public transit. By combining the commute alternatives that work best for you with infrequent driving, you save money and improve the campus environment. Flex users are automatically eligible for the Emergency Ride Home Program.
With Flex, you only pay for when you park. There is no up-front or monthly permit cost. Flex payment is accepted through a third party vendor called ParkMobile.
To apply for a Flex permit, check out the permit application details. Refer to the Flex permit policy for full permit information and rules.
NEW – Parking & Transit Accounts will be available again for UW System employees effective January 1, 2021. (Accounts were previously available to employees prior to June 1, 2018.) These accounts allow eligible employees to pay for certain parking and transit expenses with tax-free dollars. The funds in a parking account can be used to pay for work-related parking expenses, including Flex payments. For enrollment details and more information, visit the UW System’s Parking & Transit accounts webpage.
Questions?
Check out the Flex Parking FAQ (PDF) or contact the Flex Program Coordinator at (608) 263-6667 / flexparking@fpm.wisc.edu.
ParkMobile Resources
ParkMobile website | (877) 727-5457
ParkMobile contact page
helpdesk@parkmobileglobal.com
Flex Rates and Payment
Day | Time | Trip Charge | Hourly Charge | Max |
---|---|---|---|---|
Monday – Friday | 7 a.m. – 4:29 p.m. | $4 for first 4 hours | $1 / hour after 4 hours | $8 |
Monday – Friday | 4:30 p.m. – Midnight | None | $0.75 / hour | $3.75 |
Saturday – Sunday | 7 a.m. – Midnight | None | $0.75 / hour | $3.75 |
Rates begin upon entrance and end upon exit. There is no grace period. The charge is hourly; you must pay for the entire hour you are in the lot, even if you are only there a portion of that hour.
You are responsible for any charges from your cellular service provider or fees from your credit card company.
Flex parking is free on State of Wisconsin legal holidays, including: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve.
Rate Maximums
- If you pay for parking during the day and reach your $8 max, there is no additional charge if you park for the rest of the evening.
- If you begin your parking session before 4:30 p.m. and do not reach your daily maximum, your rate per hour will switch over to the evening rates after 4:30 p.m. You will not pay more than the $8 daily maximum.
- If you begin parking after 4:30 p.m., you will pay the evening rates and you will not pay more than the $3.75 evening maximum.
- Example Flex payment sessions (PDF)
IMPORTANT!
- You must display your permit AND pay via phone, web, or mobile app to park lawfully. You must create an account with ParkMobile to pay for parking.
- You are responsible for:
- knowing the lot’s hours and being in paid status during the lot’s hours of control,
- using the correct location code, and
- paying for the correct license plate.
You cannot retroactively pay ParkMobile for missed payments.
A Flex permit is valid in your assigned lot only between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. Outside of those hours and all day on weekends, Flex permit holders can use their permits in certain other campus parking lots. A Flex permit may be used in “controlled at all times” lots when they are open to any valid UW permit (4:30 p.m. – 7 a.m.), but the permit must be displayed and the vehicle be in paid status using the zone code from your primary lot. If a lot is open to the public after enforcement hours, payment is not required.
NOTE!
If paying online or in the mobile app, the system will prompt you to choose the number of hours to park OR to select the daily maximum. If you intend to park 8 hours or more (for sessions beginning before 4:30 p.m. on weekdays OR >5 hours after 4:30 p.m. on weekdays/weekends), it is important to select the daily maximum to be shown in paid status beyond 8 hours. If you select a flat 8 hours, you are only in paid status for 8 hours from the time you start the session.
When paying over the phone (not via the app), the system will tell you the max number of hours available to park. Select the maximum if you intend to park beyond the lengths of time described above.
Setting up ParkMobile
- Create a Parkmobile Account
- Through the ParkMobile mobile app
- Online at parkmobile.io
- By phone at 877-PARK-003 (877-727-5003)
- To start a parking session, you’ll need the following:
- Your license plate number
- The ParkMobile Zone number (on your permit)
- The amount of time you want to park
Encountering issues with ParkMobile? Please reach out directly to their customer service. Calling ParkMobile is recommended for the fastest response rate: (877) 727-5457
Flex Parking Lots and Payment Codes
You can also find Flex lots and codes on the Flex parking map. Hours of control are on the lot locations and hours page.
The number of permits available in the per parking year is intended to help those applying decide which lots to select and which priority order to apply. The number does vary from year to year based on construction projects, demand, etc. Reminder: Flex is a very popular program, with permit allotment per lot reaching its max early in the parking year. Waitlists can be lengthy!
Flex Lot | Garage / Ramp Name | #of permits in the lot per parking year | ParkMobile Zone # |
---|---|---|---|
6 | HC White Garage | 10 | 25006 |
7 | Grainger Hall Garage | 80 | 25007 |
16 | 15 | 25016 | |
17 | Engineering Drive Ramp | 235 | 25017 |
29 | North Park Street Ramp | 100 | 25029 |
34 | 150 | 25034 | |
36 | Observatory Drive Ramp | 135 | |
38 | Microbial Sciences Garage | 120 | |
39 | 15 | 25039 | |
41 | 40 | 25041 | |
46 | Lake and Johnson Ramp | 250 | 25046 |
51 | 15 | 25051 | |
59 | 50 | 25059 | |
60 | 65 | 25060 | |
62 | 100 | 25062 | |
64 | 15 | 25064 | |
67 | Linden Drive Garage | TBD | 25067 |
75 | UW Hospital & Clinics Ramp | 275 | 25075 |
76 | University Bay Ramp | 135 | 25076 |
82 | 15 | 25082 | |
83 | Fluno Center Garage | 15 | 25083 |
91 | 20 | 25091 | |
95 | Health Sciences Garage | 15 | 25095 |
Disabled | 25099 |