Comet FAQ's
- What is the Comet?
- The Comet is a small electronic device that works like a personal parking meter.
The Comet is displayed inside the vehicle from the driver’s side window and once
turned on it automatically deducts the parking fee from a pre-paid bank programmed
inside the device.
- The Comet is a small electronic device that works like a personal parking meter.
The Comet is displayed inside the vehicle from the driver’s side window and once
turned on it automatically deducts the parking fee from a pre-paid bank programmed
inside the device.
- Where can I park with the Comet?
- The Comet In-Vehicle Meter is valid in Visitor and C parking permit areas on the
main UC Davis campus only. It is also valid at meters, but only up to the posted
time limit (for example, you may not park longer than 45 minutes if the meter’s
posted time limit is 45 mins, regardless of how much time is remaining on your
Comet). As with any Visitor or C permit, it is not valid in A permit spaces until
after 5pm or in restricted spaces.
- The Comet In-Vehicle Meter is valid in Visitor and C parking permit areas on the
main UC Davis campus only. It is also valid at meters, but only up to the posted
time limit (for example, you may not park longer than 45 minutes if the meter’s
posted time limit is 45 mins, regardless of how much time is remaining on your
Comet). As with any Visitor or C permit, it is not valid in A permit spaces until
after 5pm or in restricted spaces.
- Who can purchase a Comet?
- Since there are no eligibility requirements, anyone may purchase a Comet. The
Comet is available to all staff, faculty, students, visitors, departments, vendors,
etc. For departmental purchases, a written recharge request must be submitted to
the Parking Services office.
- Since there are no eligibility requirements, anyone may purchase a Comet. The
Comet is available to all staff, faculty, students, visitors, departments, vendors,
etc. For departmental purchases, a written recharge request must be submitted to
the Parking Services office.
- Can departments purchase a Comet?
- Yes. Simply submit a written recharge request by
email or as
a hard copy to the TAPS office. The request should include the account number to be
charged, the amount of time requested (minimum of 50 hours), and whether the
department would prefer to send someone to pick up the Comet or to receive it by
intercampus mail.
- Yes. Simply submit a written recharge request by
email or as
a hard copy to the TAPS office. The request should include the account number to be
charged, the amount of time requested (minimum of 50 hours), and whether the
department would prefer to send someone to pick up the Comet or to receive it by
intercampus mail.
- What is the process for purchasing additional hours for a Comet?
- Affiliates and visitors can simply bring the Comet to the TAPS
office, and purchase anywhere from 50 to 250 additional hours at a time. The cost
is $1.50 per hour, which can be paid for with cash, check, Master Card or Visa.
Departments can purchase additional hours by bringing the Comet to
the TAPS office along with a written recharge request, which should indicate the
number of hours to be purchased and the serial number of the unit being reloaded.
- Affiliates and visitors can simply bring the Comet to the TAPS
office, and purchase anywhere from 50 to 250 additional hours at a time. The cost
is $1.50 per hour, which can be paid for with cash, check, Master Card or Visa.
Departments can purchase additional hours by bringing the Comet to
the TAPS office along with a written recharge request, which should indicate the
number of hours to be purchased and the serial number of the unit being reloaded.
- Is the Comet difficult to use?
- The Comet is very simple to use. Locate a valid parking space, park the vehicle,
activate the Comet and display it from the driver’s side window (on the inside).
Upon return to the vehicle, simply switch the Comet off and the payment stops. Put
the Comet in your glove box or other secure place until the next time you need to
use it.
- The Comet is very simple to use. Locate a valid parking space, park the vehicle,
activate the Comet and display it from the driver’s side window (on the inside).
Upon return to the vehicle, simply switch the Comet off and the payment stops. Put
the Comet in your glove box or other secure place until the next time you need to
use it.
- What are the benefits of purchasing a Comet instead of purchasing a daily Visitor Permit
or using a meter?
- The Comet provides maximum flexibility and is beneficial for customers that require
shorter-term parking (less than 4 hours per day) because they are charged only for the
time they are parked. Minutes on the Comet are charged at the current parking meter
rate of $1.50/hour, however vehicles are not required to park at a meter and can use
the Comet in any C or Visitor permit space.
- The Comet provides maximum flexibility and is beneficial for customers that require
shorter-term parking (less than 4 hours per day) because they are charged only for the
time they are parked. Minutes on the Comet are charged at the current parking meter
rate of $1.50/hour, however vehicles are not required to park at a meter and can use
the Comet in any C or Visitor permit space.
- How do I pre-pay for time on the Comet?
- The Comets are preprogrammed in increments of 50 hours (for a cost of $75, not
including deposit) and 100 hours (for a cost of $150, not including deposit). A
deposit of $25 is required at the time of purchase, and is fully refundable when
the purchaser returns the undamaged unit to TAPS.
- The Comets are preprogrammed in increments of 50 hours (for a cost of $75, not
including deposit) and 100 hours (for a cost of $150, not including deposit). A
deposit of $25 is required at the time of purchase, and is fully refundable when
the purchaser returns the undamaged unit to TAPS.
- What if I lose the Comet- can anyone else use it?
- The unit, and the minutes programmed on it, should be treated as cash. If the
Comet is lost, a refund will not be processed for the lost time or the deposit.
Anyone found using your lost Comet will be cited accordingly and TAPS will make
every attempt to confiscate the Comet and return it to you.
- The unit, and the minutes programmed on it, should be treated as cash. If the
Comet is lost, a refund will not be processed for the lost time or the deposit.
Anyone found using your lost Comet will be cited accordingly and TAPS will make
every attempt to confiscate the Comet and return it to you.
- If I forget to turn the Comet off, can the minutes be reloaded?
- If you forget to turn off the Comet, the minutes will continue to count down so
it is very important to turn the Comet off after each use. Please note that a
refund will not be processed for time lost. TAPS does not have the capability to
load the unit with additional minutes.
- If you forget to turn off the Comet, the minutes will continue to count down so
it is very important to turn the Comet off after each use. Please note that a
refund will not be processed for time lost. TAPS does not have the capability to
load the unit with additional minutes.
- Is the Comet still a "pilot" program?
- Based on the success of the initial pilot program, the Comet has been made into a
permanent offering. The Comet is here to stay!
- Based on the success of the initial pilot program, the Comet has been made into a
permanent offering. The Comet is here to stay!