University of Pittsburgh
- Parking

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University of Pittsburgh - Parking - College ProwlerCollege Prowler1.93

Parking

Quick Stats

Student Parking Lot? Yes
Freshmen Allowed to Park? Yes
Approximate Parking Permit Cost $680–$736 per year
Common Parking Tickets
  • Handicapped zone: $200
  • No parking zone: $90
  • Parking without a permit or valid permit: $25

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

The University of Pittsburgh is one of the few schools that allows freshmen to bring cars. Most students who do bring cars are given parking passes for the OC lot—the area on upper campus near the athletic facilities. While this is a low-traffic area that avoids the congestion of central Oakland, the OC can be quite a hike. Unless you’re living in Sutherland Hall, Pennsylvania Hall, Panther Hall, or one of the frat houses, you’re going to have to climb “Cardiac Hill” whenever you want to get to your car. The cost of permits doesn’t justify this walk for many students, and it definitely detracts from the convenience of having a car. By 5 p.m. weeknights, and all day on weekends, most of the lots on campus open up to anyone with a permit. Without a permit, you’re stuck with street parking or public garages. Metered parking is free after 6 p.m., but this is too late to matter for most students who try to drive to campus. Parking in Pittsburgh isn’t convenient at all—the streets tend to be small and crowded, and it’s difficult to be sure where you can safely leave your car. If you have an off-campus house or apartment, it’s a good idea to make sure there will be adequate parking before you sign your lease.

Overall, the cost and inconvenience of parking at Pitt makes it too much to bother with for most students. Public transportation is free for Pitt students, and buses will take you almost everywhere you’ll need to go. While a car can be a great boon for escaping city limits on weekends, you have to weigh how much you’re actually going to do this against the effort of keeping a vehicle around. You’ll probably find that, for daily activities, a car is more trouble than it’s worth.

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Pitt Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Parking at University of Pittsburgh

mworker

'15

Industrial Engineering

3.5
B

Difficult to Park

Its difficult to park on the streets and garages are expensive. But there is always somewhere

Jan 25, 2012

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Parking at University of Pittsburgh

ElisaLerner

'15

Political Science and Government

2.3
C

Nobody Has Cars

if you are an underclassmen or if you live on campus there is no reason to have a car

Jan 17, 2012

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Parking at University of Pittsburgh

huschus

'15

Studio Arts

2.3
C

NO PARKING

There is seriously very little parking on campus. It can be a nightmare. There are garages and meters, but it's all very expensive. Honestly it's not worth having a car on-campus at all, especially since transportation is free and convenient.

Dec 13, 2011

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Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate the campus parking on the following topics

How convenient is off-campus parking?

Facts

Getting a Parking Permit

Permits at Pitt are assigned by area—your permit will be for a specific garage or lot; rates listed describe different types of lots that are available. In the event that you can’t park in your assigned lot or garage (i.e.: the lot is full, blocked by snow), your permit will be temporarily validated in the Soldiers and Sailors or O’Hara garages. You can purchase a neighborhood zone street parking pass from the city for $20 a year. You have to fight for a parking spot and may have to drive around for a bit, but this is the cheapest option.

Did You Know?

Best Places to Find a Parking Spot
• Metered lots
• Soldiers and Sailors garage

Good Luck Getting a Parking Spot Here!
• Forbes Avenue or Fifth Avenue
• Schenley Quad

If you need to make a quick stop at a campus building but don’t have the permit for its lot, just leave your flashers on! With a valid parking permit displayed and your four-way flashers activated, you’re allowed to park for up to 15 minutes in any lot.

Need a jump start? Locked your keys in your car? Call MAP, Pitt’s Motorist Assistant Program, at (412) 624-4034.

Parking ServicesWhat's This?

Office of Parking, Transportation & Services
204 Brackenridge Hall
(412) 624-4034
parking@bc.pitt.edu
www.pts.pitt.edu

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Most Recent Student Author

College Prowler guides are in the hands of students throughout the entire process. Because you can't make student-written guides without the students, we have students at each campus who write, edit, and survey their peers for every guide that we publish. Thanks to our most recent student author at Pitt

Name: Courtney Vock

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

Major: Creative Non-Fiction Writing

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