GSA announces employees will pay for parking

The days of free parking are over for General Service Administration employees.

Beginning Aug. 1, employees and contractors will have to pay for parking at federal buildings and at buildings in the region leased by GSA, according to a memorandum first obtained by Federal News Radio.

Sent to all GSA employees by Cathleen Kronopulous, regional commissioner of GSA's public buildings service, the memo also stated that assigned parking spots will not change, nor will priority for assigned parking spaces.

GSA said the monthly rates will vary depending on location, but will be comparable to costs at commercial parking facilities in the area. An estimated 170 employees will be affected, the agency said.

While the announcement comes amid furloughs, pay freezes and budget cuts for many federal agencies, Kronopulous cited environmental sustainability of the federal government, rather than financial reasons, as the cause for the new measure.

"GSA recognizes that it has a responsibility to increase the sustainability of the federal government and can do so by reducing the environmental impact of the greenhouse gas emissions we generate," she said.

Kronopulous also said GSA encourages alternative modes of transportation, such as bus and rail, as well as telework options.