Some LIRR customers say the new parking garage at the Wyandanch train station is making their ride to work more difficult.

Officials cut the ribbon on the new facility Thursday afternoon.

Many commuters say there are fewer parking spaces because of all the construction. They also say if someone from another town parks their car at the garage, they may soon get a ticket.

For decades, Huntington and Dix Hills residents used to park in the Wyandanch lot for free. As of Sept. 1, they are going to need a Town of Babylon sticker.

Out-of-town residents will have to pay a $70 a month parking lot fee in addition to train and subway fares. 

Mark Epstein, of the LIRR Commuter Council, says he is afraid the cost might scare away commuters.



"You don't want to discourage that, we don't want them to say, 'Over $500 a month, I'll drive.," he says. "We don't want more cars on the road."

 

MTA board member Mitch Pally says the fee covers the new parking lot maintenance and 24-hour security for commuters.