Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-104) has issued a joint statement with eleven of his legislative colleagues opposing the MTA’s proposed parking fee hikes at dozens of train stations, including Beacon and Poughkeepsie. The MTA’s proposal would increase daily, monthly, and annual parking rates as well as implement charges on Saturdays, which are currently free.
“The new charges are penny wise and pound foolish,” said Jacobson. “Instead of encouraging more people to use the trains, this proposal encourages people to drive to Manhattan, especially on Saturdays.”
The proposed fee hike would increase the daily parking rate in Poughkeepsie from $3.75 to $4.50 and the annual rate from $358 to $394. In Beacon, the daily rate would increase from $3.50 to $4.25 and the annual rate from $298 to $328 for residents and from $358 to $394 for non-residents.
“Charging parking fees on Saturday will also hurt riverfront tourism and depress attendance at many of Beacon and Poughkeepsie’s riverfront festivals since most attendees park in MTA lots,” noted Jacobson.
On November 1, Jacobson attended a meeting between Metro-North leadership and members of the Assembly, but the proposed increases were never mentioned by Metro-North. Jacobson and his colleagues only learned about the proposal when it was reported in the media this past Saturday, November 9, in the middle of a long holiday weekend. The proposal was to be voted upon today.
“I am happy to report that due to the outrage expressed by me and my colleagues, any decision on these parking fee increases has been delayed to December at the earliest,” said Jacobson.
