newjerseynewsroom.com

Proposal moves to Senate floor for a vote

BY TOM HESTER SR.

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

The Senate Transportation Committee Monday approved legislation designed to remedy problems surrounding overcrowded parking at NJ Transit train stations.

The bill (S-2968.A-1080) would make clear that a vacant permit parking space at the stations is available for general public use during off-peak times. Off-peak hours are described as between 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. during the weekdays, and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Often commuters without permit parking are forced to park in permit-only parking areas and receive citations.

The measure moves to the Senate floor for a vote. It passed the Assembly in June.

“In many cases, the NJ Transit lots are largely reserved for permit parking by daily commuters and that’s understandable, but there’s no reason why these spots shouldn’t be open for general public use during nights and weekends,” Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer), the lower house sponsor, said. “Often times, the spots reserved for daily use are filled during off-peak times while the permit area is a vast sea of unused parking spots. That’s no way to encourage use of mass transit.”

“Parking at NJ Transit stations can be extremely limited during off-peak hours,” Sen. Shirley Turner (D-Mercer), the upper house sponsor, said. “Reserved spots should be available for the permit holders during work hours, but spaces that are left vacant after hours, on weekends and holidays should be offered to other NJ Transit customers. This will help to ease parking problems and to make using mass transit more convenient for travelers.”