Oyster Bay, MTA At Odds Over Resident-Only Parking

OYSTER BAY, NY—Oyster Bay officials and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority remain at odds over over resident-only spots at garages designated for Long Island Rail Road commuters.

According to a report by Newsday, town officials want the MTA to replace any resident-only parking spaces that would be displaced by new parking garages at the Hicksville train station.

A spokesperson for the MTA, however, told the newspaper that the agency’s policy is “not to restrict customers from parking based on residency.”

“If we build a parking facility using state or federal funds, parking must be open to the general public,” Spokeswoman Meredith Daniels told the newspaper.

While the parking issues shows no obvious resolution, discussions are on going. Oyster Bay officials have made it clear, however, that they don't want to take a "step back on resident-only parking."

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino is also asking the state to pay for the garages to alleviate the parking shortage around the station.

“The real long-term answer is for the state to step up with their promise and build the parking garages as they had suggested,” Saladino told the newspaper.

Read the full story here in Newsday.