Important Improvements Made to Transit and Parking Ahead of New School Year

U of A Transit and Parking Services is launching several initiatives and enhancements for the 2026-27 academic year to further elevate the parking and transportation experience for the campus community.

Update on Additional Parking

The university is making a substantial investment in campus parking with a new parking garage on Razorback Road. The structure will add approximately 1,700 parking spaces in the area south of Center Street and east of Graham Avenue. Transit and Parking and Facilities Management are working through the design phase, with construction set to begin in 2027 and completion expected in 2029.   

A site east of the Garland Avenue Garage has been identified as a space to construct a new surface parking lot. The project will create over 100 parking spaces on the north end of campus.

Parking Guidance System

Parking has begun installing technology to existing parking garages on campus that displays the number of available parking spaces at the entrances. The cameras also indicate with a green or red light if a space is open or not. This feature will provide drivers with a more accurate and timely representation of parking capacity.

The Parking Guidance System (PGS) technology is installed in the Stadium Drive Parking Garage, and the technology is being installed in the Harmon Avenue Parking Garage. Both are expected to be active early in the fall semester.

PGS will interface with Parking's new mobile app, Park UARK, which will help drivers find available parking quicker and easier.

Permit Changes

Parking has established a few changes to its parking system.

• The Student permit (green lots) has been split into two different permit types. The Commuter permit allows parking in green lots while the newly-created Relocate permit reserves parking for a number of on-campus students in former green lots now designated by brown signage. You can see where these redesignated lots are located on the updated campus map.

Faculty/Staff permits can continue to park in green lots but not brown lots. This change will allow better distinction between on- and off-campus students and provide a better system for relocating vehicles for home games and special events.

• The Harmon Garage permit has also been redesignated to allow on-campus permitholders to park on Levels 7, 8 and 9 of the garage and for Faculty/Staff and off-campus Harmon permitholders to park on Levels 4, 5 and 6. This will also create a more efficient and smoother parking experience. 
• Lot 408 will be redesignated to only Resident parking.

These changes will go into effect Aug. 1, 2026.

Razorback Transit Improvements

For the first time in over two decades, all Razorback Transit driver positions are filled, equipping the department to serve the U of A and the city of Fayetteville in an unprecedented capacity.

Transit is adding over 9,000 hours of service over the course of the 2026-27 year to address higher ridership demand.

Razorback Transit is also partnering with the City of Fayetteville to add Route 27 to its fleet, which will serve several stops along College Avenue, further expanding its support to off-campus riders.

Park Mobile

Parking implemented Park Mobile as its pay-to-park mobile app this winter to improve user experience and increase available options for the campus community.

The transition to ParkMobile also aligned the U of A with the City of Fayetteville, creating a more seamless experience parking in the city and on campus.

Feedback Form Launched

As part of its campuswide "Ride the Vibe" campaign, Transit and Parking Services has created a feedback form to gain valuable insight from the U of A community. The form will allow Transit and Parking to compile statistics on the number and types of issues reported, which will assist in improving services to campus.

Whether it's to ask a question about services, report a complaint or compliment an employee for a positive interaction, those who fill out the form can give valuable information that will help Transit and Parking improve its operations and connect with its users.

Those who would like to fill out the form can find it online, and signage will be posted in transit buses and around campus with a QR code that will take you to the form on a mobile device.

The form can be submitted anonymously, but those who would like a response should include their name and email.

Harmon Garage Lobby/Office Remodel

Transit and Parking Services is reimagining the public space at the Harmon Avenue Parking Garage with updated furniture and amenities as well as remodeled office space for staff. Students and employees who park at the Harmon Garage or are waiting for a Razorback Transit bus can now enjoy a renovated space that will be more comfortable and convenient.

The renovations are expected to be completed during the fall semester.

Appeals

The fee to submit a citation appeal is now $25. You can view how to submit an appeal on the parking website.

Transit and Parking Leadership

Director of Transit and Parking Services Gary Smith and Director of Razorback Transit Adam Waddell have both been promoted to senior directors of their respective areas. Smith and Waddell will both report to Senior Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Administration Officer for Campus Services Clayton Hamilton.

Renew Your Permit for Next Year

Faculty and staff can renew their parking permit for the upcoming school year by logging into the Parking Portal. Current permits expire July 31, 2026, so employees are encouraged to renew beforehand to ensure parking permissions are active. Any questions can be directed to the Parking office at 479-575-7275 or parking@uark.edu.