You Said, Together We Did: Campus parking strategy

Over the past week, employees expressed several concerns about upcoming changes to Parking Structure 4, Parking Structure 7, and campus shuttles. Parking and Transportation Services has listened to these concerns and is implementing changes based on direct feedback from team members.

D-permit lottery will include all employees

The D-permit lottery for PS4 is now open to all eligible employees with no preference based on work location. (Employees must have had a valid monthly permit for at least one month between Oct. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2025, or have purchased at least 10 daily permits via ParkMobile in a single calendar month during that same period.)

Parking and Transportation also wants to ensure everyone interested has an opportunity to enter the lottery for a PS4 D-permit, so the sign-up period has been extended to Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 11:59 p.m.

If you want a D-level permit without entering a lottery, permits are currently available for the Aggie Square Garage (formerly known as Parking Structure 6). Aggie Square Garage is almost the same walking distance to the hospital entrances as PS4. Monthly permits for ASG are available to health campus employees for $109 and may be purchased through the HONK app.  

Adjustments to shuttle schedules and availability

Under normal operating conditions, shuttle wait times are usually 5 to 7 minutes, and total travel time is intended to be predictable and reasonable for staff commuting between remote parking and their work location.

Occasionally, shuttle transit times may be longer than expected due to:

• Traffic congestion during peak commuting times
• Unplanned construction impacts, such as lane restrictions, closures or detours
• Operational constraints, including temporary staffing shortages or vehicle availability issues
• Periods when high rider volume slows service or exceeds capacity, such as during shift changes

The Transportation team is closely monitoring shuttle performance and rider feedback and will keep making adjustments to reduce delays. The aim is to provide reliable shuttle service and minimize extra commuting time for staff.

Direct shuttle from Parking Structure 7

Parking and Transportation plans to launch a PS7 Express Shuttle that will run directly between PS7 and the main hospital during peak commute times. This will improve travel times and reduce delays during shift changes. The express route will have fewer stops and aims to address concerns related to parking relocations tied to PS4 changes, as well as increased activity in the 48X building.

Additional PS7 shuttle stop

In addition to the new express line, Parking and Transportation Services is adding a shuttle stop at PS7 to shorten the walking distance to the pickup point. The new open-air stop will be located just southwest of the garage elevators lobby in the PS7 surface lot. The PS7 Express Shuttle, along with fixed-route shuttles, will serve both the existing and the new closer PS7 stops.

Increased shuttles for later times

The Parking and Transportation team has also heard that evening reliability is important, especially for late-night shifts, and that long wait times are a concern. The team is actively monitoring evening service and will take steps to match late-night demand better. This may include overnight shuttle operations, which are still being evaluated. (Current shuttle hours are 4:30 a.m. to midnight.)

A decision will be made after further study of late-night demand, identifying patterns in pickups and drop-offs, and considering changes such as shifting driver coverage or adding a shuttle. The team is expanding efforts to make shuttle services more accessible, understandable and aligned with employee needs.

Parking Structures 6 and 7 have available parking

Space remains available in the Aggie Square Garage for employees who prefer to park there. As noted earlier, the garage is nearly the same distance to the hospital as PS4, making it a good alternative for those who do not want to enter the PS4 lottery or are not selected. Daily and monthly parking options are available for employees in PS6 or at the Broadway Building.

Spaces are consistently available in PS7, which requires a B permit.

UC Davis Health leaders value team member input and appreciate ongoing feedback through leadership listening tours, rounding, employee surveys, town halls and Make Us Better suggestions. Employee feedback continues to influence how UC Davis Health manages parking, transportation and transparency in decision-making.