WSU Transportation Services announced annual and daily parking pass prices could increase by 2.8 percent starting in the fall semester.

John Shaheen, director of Transportation Services, said the raise would help offset inflationary increases in parking and transportation capital expenses. Current parking permit holders received an email about the proposed rate increase last week.

“Costs increase naturally and we need to keep up,” Shaheen said.

Shaheen said these costs include maintenance, repairs and preservation of parking surfaces and the campus’ four parking garages.

The WSU Parking and Transportation Task Force is asking for public comment on the proposed increase. The comment period will be open through March 5. Students are asked to submit comments to [email protected] with the subject “Proposed 2.8% CPI Parking Increase Comment.”

Shaheen said he hopes students will use the comment period to communicate with Transportation Services and ask questions. Many students are unaware the department does not receive money from the state or tuition, but from parking permits, short-term parking, parking fines and special event parking.

“If we don’t keep up with maintenance and transportation expenses now,” Shaheen said, “it could lead to higher rate increases later.”