New Legislation Opens Up Parking Spaces at Train Stations [poll]

Arthur Smith parks his car at the Route 23 Transit Center at 6 a.m. everyday. He gets back at about 7 p.m.. Smith purchases a $40 premium permit to park at the center every month.

Smith doesn’t like paying just to have the right to use a parking space.

“It costs money to get here every morning and money to use the bus everyday,” the Lincoln Park resident said. Smith commutes to Hoboken everyday and then takes a PATH train to New York City. “At least they’re making it a bit easier on some people’s wallets.”

Smith is referring to new law that could go in effect soon that would allow individuals without a permit to park in spaces at train stations normally reserved for individuals with permits.

But there’s a catch: Individuals may only use the spaces during off-peak hours: 5 p.m. and 5 a.m. on all weekdays, weekends, and holidays.

Wayne has two train stations: the Mountain View station and the Route 23 Transit Center on Route 23 South. Most of the spaces at the stations are taken up between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. Parking is free at the Mountain View station. Parking at the Route 23 Transit Center costs $2 a day, $25 a month, or $40 for premium parking.

The state Assembly approved the legislation Jan. 9. Governor Christie has until Tuesday to sign the bill or it goes back to the Assembly for approval.

Some commuters said the legislation will not change anything.

“This isn’t going to help anyone out,” Paul Mercer said. “If most of the people who use the trains do it between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. then what’s the point of giving people a break for using the trains other than those times? It’s just another example of our officials saying they’re helping us out but aren’t really.”

John Durso Jr., a spokesman with NJ Transit, declined to comment.

Some commuters said the legislation is a good idea, but added that more can be done to help residents save money.

“Everything goes up, tolls, bridges, tunnels, and our salaries don’t go up to compensate for that, which is totally unfair,” said Betty Torres, a Totowa resident. “At least they’re making it a little easier on people, but they could do more. It still doesn’t help regular commuters who need to go to work everyday. What about us?”