No. Location change requests can occur at any time via the Park@Penn portal. Requests are granted based on space availability.

All parking permit types and locations are offered based on space availability. In the event a permit type or location becomes full, a waitlist is initiated and you can remain at your current permit type or location. You are not at risk of losing your permit type or location during the renewal process.

Everyday and 12 Parks Per Month permits guarantee you access to your assigned location.

The 12 Parks Per Month permit is available at the following locations: Chestnut 34 Garage, Spruce 38 Garage, Walnut 32 Garage, Walnut 38 Garage, Walnut 40 Garage, and Penn Park Lot. 

Everyday parking permits are available at all parking locations.

The 12 Parks Per Month permit is available only at the following locations: Chestnut 34 Garage, Spruce 38 Garage, Walnut 32 Garage, Walnut 38 Garage, Walnut 40 Garage, and Penn Park Lot. Changing permit types occurs during the annual permit renewal window, from mid-May to mid-June, in the Park@Penn portal. Changes outside this annual renewal window must be approved by Parking Services; email parking@upenn.edu or visit the Parking & Commuter Services office on the first floor of the Penn Bookstore (near the Sansom Street entrance). 

Under the pay-as-you-go Occasional Parking program, participants receive a $3 discount off Penn’s public parking rates. Additionally:

• Parking under this program is subject to daily availability rather than guaranteed.
• Occasional Parking is available only at the Chestnut 34, Walnut 38, and Walnut 40 Garages.
• Preregistration and designation of a preferred payment method are required to participate.
• Payroll deduction is not available with this option; payments are made on a post-tax basis. 

Upon registration, you will enter a preferred payment method. After each park, that payment method is charged at a $3 discount over public rates. Occasional Parking participants will have access to select parking facilities via their PennCard.

No, registration is required only once, to begin your initial enrollment in the program. Parking will then be accessible via your PennCard.

Occasional Parking is offered based on space availability and is therefore not guaranteed. Garages will close to non-permit holders as space dictates.

No, employees can participate in the Occasional Parking program or enroll for a parking permit, but not both.

We appreciate the question! As you mentioned, permit-holders with outstanding parking violations are not able to renew their parking permits unless the balance is paid in full at the Park@Penn portal.  

Commuter Benefits participants can enroll only in the Occasional Parking program.

Contact parking@upenn.edu with questions about permit types and locations.

Yes.

Full-time, benefits-eligible faculty, staff, and post-doctoral researchers and fellows are eligible to enroll for Penn’s Employee Commuter Benefits.

Penn offers up to a 50% discount ($105 maximum per month) off a variety of mass-transit passes and programs for eligible employees.

Every commute is different. We have found that the up to 50% discount ($105 maximum per month) is the most economical choice for employees who ride public transit at least three days per week.

Products from Amtrak, NJ Transit, PATCO, and SEPTA are available through the Commuter Benefits program, as follows.

• Amtrak: Prepaid monthly passes and 10-ride passes.

• NJ Transit: Monthly train and bus passes.

• SEPTA*: Monthly passes

• PATCO: Stored value on Freedom shared or T-card

*A SEPTA Key Card is necessary to sign up for the SEPTA Commuter Benefit discount. Key Cards can be purchased at the SEPTA kiosk located in the Penn Bookstore (3601 Walnut St.) and at SEPTA locations throughout Philadelphia. If you already have a SEPTA Key Card and utilize the SEPTA Travel Wallet, you will not be able to access funds in your SEPTA Travel Wallet as long as you also have a SEPTA monthly pass. Therefore, you may wish to consider spending down any Travel Wallet funds currently on your Key Card and canceling enabled auto-reload settings before enrolling in the Commuter Benefits program.

To register for a discounted monthly transit-fare product:

1. Go to this Commuter Benefits page and click the “Employees” tab.
2. Follow the “Sign Up Through the Commuter Benefit Portal” link to enroll.

Commuter passes purchased by the 19th of a given month are effective on the first day of the following month. For example, passes purchased by October 19 are effective November 1. Passes purchased on or after October 20 are effective December 1. Elections will auto-renew until canceled.

Yes, you may change your commuter selection. Please keep in mind that if you want your change to take effect the following month, you must cancel your current selection and reregister by the 19th. For example, passes purchased by October 19 are effective November 1. Passes purchased on or after October 20 are effective December 1. 

Employee Commuter Benefits are billed via pretax payroll deduction—the IRS mandates a $325 pretax limit for 2025. Once you purchase a mass-transit pass or program, the discounted monthly amount will automatically be deducted from your paycheck until canceled.

No, IRS guidelines mandate that commuter-benefit funds are ineligible for refund once deducted from your paycheck. If you know you will not use the commuter benefit in advance, log into your Commuter Benefits account on Jawnt by the 19^th of the prior month to ensure your order is not placed and no paycheck deduction taken.

The best option here would be to register for the Occasional Parking program. However, participation in the Commuter Benefits program precludes eligibility from concurrent enrollment in certain other commuter offerings (i.e., you are not eligible for Commuter Benefits while also enrolled in the Bike Commuter Expense Reimbursement Program or for Penn’s monthly parking permit).

Benefits-eligible employees can purchase tickets from regional transit authorities with a 5% pretax discount through the Health Equity Commuter Card. The Commuter Card is accepted at transit agencies, fare vending machines, and designated transit retail centers that accept the VISA card for payment.

The deadline to apply for a Health Equity Commuter Card is the 10th of a given month, with the order loading on the 1st of the subsequent month.

Yes, the Penn Bike Commuter Expense Reimbursement Program offers up to $240 annually for eligible out-of-pocket bicycle commuting expenses. Click here for the eligibility form and full program details.

Note that Program participants must click here to register their bicycles with Penn’s Division of Public Safety.

Full-time, benefits-eligible faculty, staff, and postdoctoral researchers who commute by bicycle more than half the month (50%+) AND do not simultaneously participate in any of Penn’s other commuter-transit or parking savings programs can take advantage of the Bike Reimbursement Program.

Reimbursable expenses include bike purchases; maintenance, improvements, and bike accessories; parking and commercial storage costs; and safety gear. Membership and program fees are not allowable; nor are clothing and apparel.

No, unlike a flexible spending account, reimbursement comes directly from the University and is considered taxable income by the Internal Revenue Service. Funding is provided by the Division of Business Services to support the University’s Climate Action Plan.

Bicycle reimbursements up to $240 are paid on an annual basis. Upload receipts and submit claims via the Concur expense platform. The annual claim period runs January 1-February 28 for the prior tax year. 

There are dozens of bike racks throughout Penn’s Campus. Click here for locations. 

Yes, there are several Indego stations on campus. Click here for locations. 

The University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pennsylvania Health System have separate benefits programs. Contact your HR representative with questions about UPHS’ Commuter Benefits programs.