Fairfax County Slams WMATA Over Reston Parking Fees

RESTON, VA -- WMATA announced recently that they planned to start charging for parking at Metro stations on Saturdays as well as extend paid parking hours on weekdays, but Fairfax County hammered the agency over the issue in a recent statement.

A proposal before the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors would continue free parking on Saturdays while extending the hours of collection at the Wiehle-Reston East Metrorail station when the pilot program begins on Feb. 5.

"Over the past several years, WMATA’s image has been significantly tarnished," Fairfax County Board of Supervisors staff wrote in the meeting materials. "Charging for parking on Saturdays, especially when there are so many reasons not to charge, will not improve WMATA’s image."

Specifically, the county executive recommends that the Board of Supervisors approve continuing free parking on Saturdays at the station and extending the hours of collection on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. until 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 7:30 a.m. until 2 a.m. on Fridays.

While WMATA operates the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station, Fairfax County owns the 2,300-space parking garage.

Fairfax County staff does not support charging for parking at Metro stations on Saturday for a number of reasons. For one thing, parking usage and ridership are at the lowest levels on weekends, meaning there would be only a modest increase in revenue and weekend ridership likely would fall. Also, collecting parking fees on Saturday would result in additional costs for equipment maintenance and personnel. Most of the remaining reasons had to do with discouraging ridership on the weekends and the negative consequences that would have for the surrounding area.

Image via WMATA