KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee is expected to offer a new parking permit for the 2024-2025 academic year.
In a release, the university said its new "Park and Ride" permit would let people park in Lot B of the Knoxville Civic Auditorium between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on weekdays. The auditorium is around a 10-minute drive from the university and would be serviced by a dedicated T shuttle, with buses also running every 10 minutes. Permit holders would be able to ride on the shuttle to campus and back.
"Park & Ride permits are being offered as part of an effort to transform UT’s parking and transportation network and improve the on-campus experience for students and staff by reducing competition for parking spaces, providing more predictability in the commute experience, and enhancing transportation options to ensure that arriving on and interacting with campus is more efficient," the university said in its release.
Permit holders would be dropped off at Gate 21 of Neyland Stadium. Faculty and staff are also invited to a preview day on July 11, when they can try the parking option before employee Park and Go permits go on sale. Employees will be able to buy the permits on July 15.
Knoxville Area Transit buses will be provided free of charge to UT students beginning August 12, the university said.
"Staff and faculty will receive free fares when traveling to and from campus," said UT.
In May, UT's Campus Advisory Group met and recommended the university change its parking system to prioritize parking pass sales to students, based on their earned academic credit hours. It also recommended changing UT's parking to a zoned system.
In May, the university also said it would add 1,000 new pay-hourly spaces across campus for visitors and people who need short-term parking.