NJT Proposes Privatized Station Parking

New Jersey Transit is considering privatizing up to 60% of the parking facilities it now operates and has requested proposals from interested operators; 10 companies have responded, according to the Bergen Record (Nov. 18, by Larry Higgs).  The program, announced originally by NJT Executive Director James Weinstein in June, has the goal of increasing revenue to NJT; the private operators would be allowed to increase rates, and users could expect to pay more.  Some free lots might require payment under the program.  Up to 81 parking facilities operated by NJT directly or by municipalities for NJT are potentially affected.  Facilities potentially affected on the Morris & Essex lines include East Orange, Brick Church, Highland Avenue, Mountain Station, South Orange, Morristown, Morris Plains, Mount Tabor, Denville, Berkeley Heights, Gillette, Stirling, Lyons, Gladstone, plus Netcong and 6 other stations on the Montclair-Boonton line, according to the NJT request for qualifications to potential private operators (Oct. 14).