University Parking and Transportation Services receive an annual income of nearly $500,000 from citation revenue.

The revenue is known as the parking fines and for future account, said UTAPS Manager Nancy Fox.

California State Law requires that the account fund only alternate transportation programs and the appeals process.

Costs for alternate transportation include the Hornet Express Shuttles and staffing of the bicycle compound.

“The shuttle budget is over $300,000,” Fox said.

Revenue generated from the appeals process is used for such purposes as paying the staff.

“This turns a negative thing like a citation into a very positive thing that benefits the campus overall,” Fox said.

The appeals process costs $150,000 a year, Fox said.”The cost for both programs is not covered entirely by citation revenue,” Fox said.

Fox said that in such a case, UTAPS covers the remaining balance through the main parking account which consists of parking permit sales revenue.

“The permits fund construction of parking facilities, UTAPS salaries, parking patrol trucks, daily permit machines and regular maintenance such as repainting or repaving parking areas or fixing broken machines,” Fox said.

Fox said the reason UTAPS has patrol trucks rather than golf carts is because they often carry equipment across campus.

“We carry A-frames, cones and equipment everyday,” Fox said. “We help facilities management; go carts couldn’t do that. A smaller vehicle would be possible, but these work for us.”The last trucks were purchased in 1995.

“We buy them as we need them,” Fox said. “The trucks are not driving anywhere but on campus, so they do not get the normal wear and tear. They are in pretty good shape.”

UTAPS is looking into the possibility of purchasing electric cars to use in place of the trucks. Fox said that they would like to move toward a more environmentally friendly vehicle.

“We can buy cheap electric cars for $10,000 with electric chargers,” Fox said. “Electric cars are generally cheaper than regular cars. It depends on the company.”

Sacramento State Senior James Stewart is in favor of the change.”If it is both cheaper and better for the environment, I’d say that we can’t lose,” Stewart said. “We need to change with the times.”