Town of Oyster Bay Officials Propose Premium Parking Plan For LIRR Commuters

The Town of Oyster Bay recently proposed a premium parking plan for several local LIRR lots.

The plan would offer residents premium parking spaces at its busiest parking lots in Bethpage, Hicksville Syosset and Massapequa.

A total of 852 premium spaces at the four lots will be available starting early next year at $100 per month.

Applicants will be drawn from a lottery, with applications being made available on the Town’s website in January. The Town will notify lottery applicants when drawings are made.

Parking passes will be valid for six months. A new lottery will be called before the passes expire, and current pass holders can enter the next lottery.

Each applicant must have a valid parking permit issued by the Town Clerk’s Office. Permit holders may receive only one premium parking pass.

Residents who submit a lottery application must agree to make payment for the full six-month period of the parking pass.

The program may be expanded, depending on popularity and interest. Reserved spaces will be cordoned off by the Town’s Highway Department.

Those who park in the reserved spaces without a parking pass are subject to a fine.

The idea for the program cam about after Town officials received multiple complaints from commuters who couldn't find spots to park, John Bishop, acting town highway commissioner told Newsday.

“They will not get a space and they will have to drive to another station and another station and another station,” he told Newsday.

Some commuters disagree with the cost of the lots.

“Already paying a monthly pass just to take the train, now they want us to pay more?” Syosset commuter Joe Gianni told CBS News.

The town would earn almost a million dollars annually from all 852 if they are sold, Bishop told Newsday.

A hearing on the proposed plan is scheduled for January 10 starting at 10 a.m. at Town Hall in Oyster Bay.

Residents can send feedback to Town of Oyster Bay officials on the Town website here.