Bill Text: NJ A4127 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires public parking facilities at NJ Transit stations to be open to public on weekends and other occasions; permits reasonable fee for use of parking facility.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-11-28 - Reported out of Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading [A4127 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-A4127-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman CONNIE WAGNER
District 38 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Requires public parking facilities at NJ Transit stations to be open to public on weekends and other occasions; permits reasonable fee for use of parking facility.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning parking facilities at certain public transportation stations and supplementing Title 27 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, any automobile parking facility, including, but not limited to, parking garages, parking lots, and park-and-ride lots and facilities, whether owned or operated by the corporation or any municipality, authority, or other governmental entity, which is associated with or designated for the use by customers of rail passenger service or light rail passenger service, shall be open to the general public for use of such parking facility on the weekends and at such other times outside of weekday commuting hours when a special event, including, but not limited to, spectator sporting events, trade shows, expositions, concerts, and other public events, is taking place in the State. Noting in this section shall prohibit the corporation or any municipality, authority, or other governmental entity from charging a reasonable fee for the use of its parking facilities.
2. This act shall take effect on the first day of the third month following enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill would require that any automobile parking facility, including, parking garages, parking lots, and park-and-ride lots and facilities, whether owned or operated by New Jersey Transit or any municipality, authority, or other governmental entity, which is associated with or designated for the use by customers of rail passenger service or light rail passenger service, to be open to the public on the weekends and at such other times outside of weekday commuting hours when a special event, including spectator sporting events, trade shows, expositions, concerts, and other public events, is taking place in the State. Nothing in this bill prohibits New Jersey Transit or any municipality, authority, or other governmental entity from charging a reasonable fee for the use of its parking facilities.
New Jersey has a tradition of providing its citizens with the finest in sports and entertainment, namely at the Meadowlands complex. The Meadowlands rail line provides the public with the ability and convenience to enjoy these sports and entertainment events at the Meadowlands while avoiding the stress and hassle associated with driving and parking. Public parking at local rail passenger service or light rail passenger service stations is sometimes restricted, thereby discouraging the public from using mass transit. When this occurs, the Meadowlands rail station is underutilized, wasting the extensive monetary investment made in the facility.
