In response to the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) announcing that it is considering increasing parking fares at 25 station parking facilities and lots that are owned/controlled by the MTA. Many residents, businesses, and visitors of the Town of Wappinger, including the Village of Wappingers Falls, depend on Metro North train services from/to the MTA stations located at the Beacon and New Hamburg train stations for their work, education, business, medical services, travel etc.. The MTA is PROPOSING parking fare increases at both the Beacon and New Hamburg stations, according to the following rate scale:
Metered Parking: Current Rate Proposed Rate
Beacon. $3.50 $4.25
New Hamburg $3.50 $4.25
12 MONTH PARKING:
Beacon $2.98 $3.28
New Hamburg $3.58 $3.94
No more FREE parking on SaturdaysSupervisor Richard L. Thurston stated “The proposed MTA parking fare increase will cause unnecessary financial hardship for numerous residents of the Town, particularly those with fixed or limited incomes, and the proposed parking fare increase will place an additional financial burden on the taxpayers of the Town and Village…” The Supervisor went on to say that the parking increase would “significantly increase the daily two-way traffic moving through the Town to those stations because fewer people would be able to afford to pay the increased fares, thereby requiring them to be dropped off and picked up at the stations. The proposed fare increases will impact significantly our environment by increasing the level of traffic and traffic congestion.”

The Wappinger Town Board unanimously voted on the resolution that condemns the proposed parking fare increases. In addition, respectfully requests that the MTA conduct an appropriate environment impact study before any such fare increase would be implemented; and that the Town of Wappinger respectfully requests that the MTA hold a public meeting in the Town of Wappinger with respect to said proposed parking fare increases.

The Wappinger Town Board finds that such rate increases will place an undue financial and environmental burden on residents, businesses, and local government.

For additional information please feel free to reach out to Supervisor Thurston’s Office at 845-297-2744.