PATS: not a for-profit vender for University

Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to a letter to the Editor that appeared in Wednesday’s edition of the Daily Lobo regarding UNM Parking and Transportation Services (PATS). The writer refers to PATS as “an independent, non-University profit vendor.” That is incorrect.

PATS is not a for-profit vendor to the university.

PATS is an auxiliary department within UNM’s division of Institutional Support Services. As an auxiliary department, PATS is a self-funding support unit, which derives its operating revenue principally from the sale of parking permits and proceeds from hourly parking.

This revenue supports PATS’ operating expenses, including the provision of UNM’s shuttle bus transportation services, which operate from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and maintenance and repair of parking facilities.

Any retained earnings after expenses are allocated to PATS’ capital program and earmarked for the acquisition capital assets such as replacement of older shuttle buses and acquisition of additional shuttle buses to support system growth, technology, and capital repairs to parking facilities.

Second, with respect to the writer’s observation that cash payment for hourly parking on campus is no longer available, PATS is aware that some customers have been inconvenienced by this transition.

To better serve our customers, PATS is in the process of obtaining electronic pay stations that will accept cash. Within the next few weeks, cash-accepting technology will be available on the main level of the Cornell Visitor Parking Structure.

Robert Nelson
Interim Director, PATS