New Lenox Increasing Metra Parking Fee to $1.25

The New Lenox Village Board voted to increase daily parking fees for Metra commuters by 25 cents, a move that will help cover the cost of maintaining the lots.

Effective May 1, 2012, the parking fee will increase to $1.25, which is still among the lowest along the south suburban Metra lines. Village Administrator Kurt Carroll said the primary reason for the increase is that the village spends more money maintaing the lot than it gets back in revenue.

On average, the village pays about $30,000 extra out of its general fund each year to subsidize the lot. That means taxpayers who don't use the lot are still helping to fund it, and Carroll said that shouldn't be the case for a user-based service.

The reason expenses are greater than revenue in the lot is twofold: village officials said they've seen ridership decrease, likely because of the economy, and as a result of cutting back on personnel and equipment, the village hasn't been able to handle snow removal on its own.

Currently, the village is in the first year of a two-year contract for snow removal, and there's $100,000 budgeted for that. With 2011's record winter that was needed; this year's warm weather means the village will likely save.

Is Another Increase in Store?

To save more on lot maintenance in the long run, Carroll said he hopes the village staff can manage snow removal again. In the 2013 fiscal year budget, which was approved Monday, there is money for three new street laborers who could help that cause. 

If that doesn't happen, and ridership doesn't increase, the village could boost the fee to $1.50/day as early as next year. 

In addition to regular maintenance, there are necessary upgrades planned for the lots that include resurfacing and re-striping, and that’s estimated to cost about $863,000. The village will need to upgrade different parts of the lots at different times, with the first project likely to happen in 2015. 

So for now, a 25-cent increase helps the village cover existing costs. To start saving for future upgrades, another increase could be in store.

Token Payment Program

A dollar bill is easy enough to hold onto, but what about making sure you’ve got an extra quarter or two?

The village will offer the option of a token system that’s recently been adopted by Tinley Park and Mokena, which  to help pay for various upgrades.

Commuters would be able to purchase sheets of 10 tokens at  and the Metra stations. Commuters would still have the option of paying in coins and cash. 

Carroll said he hopes the tokens will be available in advance of May 1, but no later than that date. Announcements of their availability will come later, and in the meantime the village will be communicating the fee increase to residents.