Holidays increase daily congestion
While parking around LIRR train stations is typically a challenge, even on a regular work day, the holidays create more of a struggle for commuters in search of parking spots. LIRR spokesman Salvatore Arena said that ridership between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day increases by at least 10 percent; last year it was by 12 percent. Though the MTA is adding more trains to the schedule, that doesn’t ease the parking situation, which is operated not by the LIRR, but by individual municipalities in each town.
“Every station is different,” Arena said. “A good part of our parking is in the hands of the locality. They set the rules essentially.”
For riders taking the train out of Wantagh, parking is scarce throughout the permit and free fields.
According to a Town of Hempstead engineering department official, the town provides nearly 1,500 spaces across more than eight parking fields at the Wantagh station, for residents and non-residents. Permits for the parking field cost $3 annually. Meanwhile, for those taking the train into Manhattan for a one-day event, the town provides free parking in field WA-09.
Parking is first come, first served. The town official said, “After 6 a.m. though, it’s a crap shot,” said the town engineering official. “We’ve [the town] has never been able to keep up with the demand for parking at the Wantagh station; WA-09, closest to Park Ave. near the firehouse, has 200 spaces and was filled the day after it opened in the 1980s.”
Parking field WA-10 on Jones Ave. is designated as a non-permit, no-fee lot. A word of caution though, always check the posted sign designations, as two of the lots at the Wantagh station are connected, but have different parking restrictions.
“Oh my God, Wantagh station parking is a disaster,” said one Wantagh commuter, who lives in Levittown. “One of my neighbors commutes from Wantagh, but I say, screw this mess;
I’m going to Seaford where there is parking.” Other Seaford commuters conversely say the Seaford parking is not much better.
According to several Wantagh station commuters, the parking situation at Wantagh has worsened due to ongoing construction at the Massapequa station by the LIRR, causing commuters, who usually leave from Massapequa, to travel to stations west in search of an open parking spot.
While more residents will head into the city by rail road from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, MTA officials say the increased ridership is typically during its off-peak period, like weekends and evenings. Passengers who plan to leave for the city before daily commuters can get back to their cars will face a parking shortage.
“People should know that if they are planning to go into the city, parking [around the station] can be a little bit of a problem,” said Arena. “Parking availability becomes more difficult during the holiday season simply because of the volume.”
Even so, Arena said people should not be deterred from taking mass transit. “It’s better to go into the city by train rather than by car,” Arena said. “Even after the morning rush, you tend to have a simpler day if you use mass transit.”
Permit applications are available at the town clerk’s office at Hempstead Town Hall, or by calling 516-489-5000, ext. 3513. You are required to provide a copy of your vehicle registration. If your current address is not listed on the vehicle registration, you will also be required to present proof of residency, such as a utility bill, tax bill, deed to house, or a notarized lease agreement.
For parking tips and a round-up of the worst LIRR parking situations, turn to page 10A.
—With additional reporting by Dan Offner.
