Hi Everyone,
As you know, University Health Network's parking strategy will be updated starting April 1. Over the past few weeks I've heard from a number of you about the proposed changes to parking, and in response to your feedback we've developed a few adjustments that I think balance the need to have parking available for patients and visitors at our peak periods, with the safety and comfort of staff.
TGH: Expanded evening and weekend access
During the day, we ask that all staff parkers use levels 3-8 of the Elizabeth St. garage. On weekdays after 3 p.m. and weekends, staff may park in the first available spot on any floor of the Elizabeth St. garage. On weekdays, the electronic equipment will be programmed to open to staff transponders and value cards when entering after 3 p.m., and when leaving the garage, provided the car exits the lot by 7 a.m. the following day.
TWH: Staff and patient parking areas to be adjusted
In response to feedback, we have reviewed the designated patient and staff parking areas at TWH. We are making arrangements for the Bathurst St. lot to be designated for staff only, and the Leonard St. garage will be designated primarily for patients. Because there are more staff parkers than there are spaces in the Bathurst St. lot, throughout April we will be looking into how we can best allocate space. We will keep TWH staff up to date on that process.
Here's what's happening at TWH in the meantime:
- Throughout April, TWH staff and patients/visitors can continue to park in their usual locations.
- To help us plan for numbers, please continue to re-register or apply for transponders and value cards before Apr. 1
- The distribution of new transponders to staff at TWH will be delayed until the updated parking lot designations take effect. Staff members who plan to transfer to transponders will be credited for the difference for that month.
PMH: Questions about parking at Murray St. (OPG) lot
I have also heard from PMH staff who have questions about how to get parking privileges in the Murray St. lot, which is owned by Ontario Power Generation. UHN does not control this lot, but has an agreement with OPG to provide a limited number of spaces to UHN, which are designated either for monthly or daily parking. We have requested a meeting with OPG to find out if there is any room to increase the number of spaces available to UHN, and to find out if we can make adjustments to how spaces are designated. Staff have also asked about a few maintenance issues, including elevators, in those lots, and these will also be discussed at that meeting. As soon as we have more information about these questions, we'll pass it along.
Re-registering existing transponders and value cards
Just a quick reminder that all staff who currently hold transponders or value cards must re-register them before Apr. 1, to ensure that they are compatible with new equipment and to ensure that your record is complete and up-to-date. For more information, visit the parking office at your site or visit the Parking website on the UHN Corporate Intranet.
Thank you for sending along your opinions, and my thanks to John Latam and Susan Grove who have worked through a lot of feedback and requirements to develop our new parking policies which will be implemented on April 1. For complete information about the parking update, including rates and locations, please visit the Parking website where Questions & Answers are posted. You can also send questions to parking@uhn.on.ca.
Bob
