Oyster Bay mulls reserved LIRR parking with hefty price tag

It's a problem that's maddening for Long Island Rail Road commuters in the Town of Oyster Bay: too many cars and not enough parking spots. Some relief may be on the way, but to get it commuters will

News 12 Staff

Dec 20, 2016, 4:26 AM

Updated 2,948 days ago

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It's a problem that's maddening for Long Island Rail Road commuters in the Town of Oyster Bay: too many cars and not enough parking spots.
Some relief may be on the way, but to get it commuters will have to cough up a sizable amount of cash.
The Town of Oyster Bay says it's considering charging $100 a month for guaranteed spaces. Commuters would be able to pay for spots near the entrances to the Bethpage, Hicksville, Massapequa and Syosset LIRR stations.
The so-called "premium parking" would include 852 spaces in the four lots, and if all spaces were sold, the town would gain nearly $1 million in revenue.
The plan comes one month after the town board approved an 11.5 percent tax hike. The town's credit rating was reduced to junk bond status earlier this year by a credit agency that cited repeated budget deficits.
Many commuters are critical of the premium parking plan, with some saying it favors the wealthy and others calling it a money grab.
"I think they're just trying to do things just to make things harder for people. I don't think it's fair to people who can't afford it," says Danny Bandad, of Plainview.
Residents will have a chance to voice their opinions about the proposal at a public hearing on Jan. 10.