Residents protest large train-station parking hike; city says fees set by NJ Transit

Several Linden residents told the City Council during a public hearing that they oppose a sharp increase in the Linden train-station parking fee proposed in ordinance 70-2.

Ed Kaminski said the rise — which some speakers described as roughly 50% on the daily rate — is excessive given ongoing maintenance problems and frequent lack of available spaces. "You're gonna slap a 50% increase in the fee ... That's ridiculous. Please reconsider," Kaminski said.

City officials and the mayor replied that the daily and quarterly rates are the product of New Jersey Transit’s pricing and that the municipality’s ordinance is the mechanism by which the city collects and shares revenue under an existing agreement with Transit. A city attorney explained the city is generally responsible for routine maintenance while major upgrades remain the transit authority’s responsibility.

Other commenters said the lot is often full because of nearby construction and that residents with monthly permits have been locked out of spaces. The council approved the ordinance at the meeting, and Councilman Rodriguez was recorded as a no vote. Officials said staff will coordinate with New Jersey Transit on implementation and that the city receives a percentage of the parking fees collected under the agreement.

The council’s adoption does not change which entity sets the base fee, city officials said; it creates the local legal authority to collect and distribute the local share. Residents asked the council to escalate conversations with New Jersey Transit about maintenance and capacity.

The city did not state a timeline for further negotiations with Transit at the meeting; staff follow-up was requested.