This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Matawan Still in Control of Train Station Parking Lot

Matawan maintains control of their train station parking lot for a bit longer

The Matawan Borough Council passed a resolution Tuesday evening authorizing the extension of a part-time hourly railroad parking enforcement clerk, as New Jersey Transit has yet to take control of the train station parking lot.

Last winter, that they intended to privatize the management of the borough's train station parking lot, along with approximately 80 other parking lots in the state. Matawan currently controls 60% of the spaces on their side of the tracks through a lease with NJ Transit.

According to NJ Transit, the privatization program, known as SPACES (System Parking Amenity and Capacity Enhancement Strategy), is designed to enhance train station appearance, increase parking capacity and uniformity and streamline operations statewide.

Find out what's happening in Matawan-Aberdeenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Council President Andy Lopez said they were under the belief NJ Transit was going to take back the property sometime in July or August. Lopez said the borough knows they are going to lose the property in the near future, but because they have not been told precisely when, they will continue to operate as normal. The borough also recently mailed railroad parking renewal forms to residents.

“I believe they (NJ Transit) are having trouble finding a company,” Lopez said.

Find out what's happening in Matawan-Aberdeenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

There are no plans to make up for the loss of revenue, according to Lopez. Borough officials estimate that the parking lot generates $500,000 a year in year-round, summer and daily parking permit revenue, minus maintenance and police patrol costs. The borough also receives revenue from ticketing for parking violations at the lot. The council was frustrated when they learned about SPACES, but knows the take over is inevitable.

“We didn’t like it,” Lopez said. “It’s going to affect the borough.”

Councilman Tom Fitzsimmons said the loss of the station hurts the borough, but in a tough economy he understands why NJ Transit is taking the property back.

“They are trying to maximize profits,” he said. “You can only cut so much spending.”

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?