The reduced cost parking permit program provides a discounted rate on annual base lot and UW-Accessible parking permits for eligible UW employees, UW Hospital and Clinics employees, and UW graduate and professional students. Reduced cost base lot permits are available in any parking lot where annual base lot permits are available.
Reduced and low-cost parking options were introduced November 2020. The program expanded in the 2022-23 parking year. UW-Madison campus administration has collaborated with Transportation Services to continue the reduced cost program through 2023-24 parking year.
Reduced cost parking eligibility
2023-24 parking year
(September 1, 2023 – August 31, 2024)
- UW employees and graduate/professional students with a gross hourly pay rate less than $18.72 per hour.
- UW Hospital and Clinics employees with a gross hourly pay rate less than $30 per hour.
The gross pay rate eligibility threshold does not include lump sum bonuses or overtime.
These criteria were set with guidance from the Office of Human Resources (OHR) and were approved by campus administration.
Reduced cost parking options for the 2023-24 parking year
Annual base lot permits are available at a reduced cost for eligible applicants. When applying for an annual base lot parking permit, applicants are automatically considered for the reduced cost program. Learn how to apply.
For UW employees and graduate/professional students with HR appointments, reduced cost annual base lot permits are available in the same campus parking lots where regular-priced base lot permits are available.
Graduate/professional students without HR appointments must apply through the student parking process and select these specific lots to be considered for the program: 46, 67, 75, 76, and 83.
Reduced cost permits are subject to the same rules and restrictions governing all annual base lot permits. Read the parking permit terms and conditions policy.
2023-24 reduced cost annual base lot permits
Cost: $618
Valid: September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024
Eligibility
- UW employees and graduate/professional students with a gross hourly pay rate less than $18.72 per hour.
- UW Hospital and Clinics employees with a gross hourly pay rate less than $30 per hour.
- For more information on eligibility, read the reduced cost parking permit policy.
Reduced cost UW-Accessible permits are available to eligible applicants. When applying for a parking permit, applicants are automatically considered for the reduced cost program. Learn how to apply.
Reduced cost UW-Accessible permits are available those who qualify for an annual UW-Accessible parking permit. These permits are subject to the same rules and restrictions governing all UW-Accessible parking permits. Read the ADA/accessible parking policy.
2023-24 reduced cost UW-Accessible permits
Cost: $618
Valid: September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024
Eligibility
- Must qualify for an annual UW-Accessible parking permit.
- UW employees and graduate/professional students with a gross hourly pay rate less than $18.72 per hour.
- UW Hospital and Clinics employees with a gross hourly pay rate less than $30 per hour.
- For more information on eligibility, read the reduced cost parking permit policy.
Semester permits are available for in-person purchase at a Transportation Services office location. Availability is limited in Lots 17, 29. 36, 46, 67, 75, 76, and 83.
- Fall semester 2023 permits available for in-person purchase starting August 22, 2023.
- Spring semester 2024 permits available for in-person purchase starting December 6, 2023.
Semester permits are subject to the same rules and restrictions governing all annual base lot permits. Read the parking permit terms and conditions policy.
2023-24 semester permits
Cost: $259 per semester
Fall 2023 permits valid September 1, 2023 through December 31, 2024
Spring 2024 permits valid January 1, 2024 through August 31, 2024
Eligibility
- UW graduate and professional students with a gross hourly pay rate less than $18.72 per hour.
- For more information on eligibility, read the reduced cost parking permit policy.
Other low-cost parking options include park and ride permits, afternoon permits, and night permits. For current rates, check the rates page.
Afternoon and night permits are available for online purchase in the eBusiness portal or at an office location. They do not require an application.
Park and ride permits require an application. Learn how to apply.
For more low-cost commute options, check these offerings from our Commuter Solutions program:
Metro Transit and Department of Transportation park and rides
How to Apply
Employees and graduate/professional students with an HR appointments
UW-Madison employees, UW Hospital and Clinics employees, and UW graduate or professional students with HR appointments are automatically considered for the reduced cost program when applying for an annual base lot permit or UW-Accessible permit.
Apply for an annual base lot permit in the permit application system (PAS) to be considered for the reduced cost program. Read more about how to apply for parking.
Eligible customers who are awarded a reduced cost permit will see the reduced cost price at time of purchase, and not during the application process.
Permit availability may be limited.
Graduate/professional students without an HR appointment
UW graduate/professional students without a UW or UW-affiliate appointment and UW graduate/professional student with an appointment classified as “student help” must apply for specific parking lots through the student parking process to be considered for the reduced cost program.
Apply through the student parking process to be considered for a reduced cost annual base lot permit.
When approved, you may apply for an annual base lot permit in the permit application system (PAS). To be considered for the reduced cost price, you must select lots where reduced cost permits are available for students: Lots 46, 67, 75, 76, and 83.
To receive the reduced cost rate, you must be awarded a permit in a facility where reduced cost permits are available for students (Lots 46, 67, 75, 76, and 83.). If you apply for parking in a lot where reduced cost permits are not available, you may receive an offer for a parking permit at the regular rate.
Eligible customers who are awarded a reduced cost permit will see the reduced cost price at time of purchase, and not during the application process.
Permit availability may be limited.