Come Jan. 1, anyone using Naperville’s train station parking lots will pay $3 a day or purchase weekly or monthly discounted ticket “bundles” under a plan approved this week by the Naperville City Council.
The flat-rate payment structure replaces the proposed two-tier system that had been tentatively approved earlier this year. Under it, commuters would have paid $5 a day for the lots closest to the Fifth Avenue station and $2 for the one lot located farther away.
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Monthly permit parking will officially end Dec. 31.
Councilwoman Allison Longenbaugh said the system needed to be updated because fewer people have been commuting five days a week following the COVID-19 pandemic and because the system was not fair and equitable for all commuters.
“A lot of the permit lots have been empty because people have been abusing it,” Longenbaugh said of those who would purchase permits despite not using the parking spot daily. “They hold onto the permit and they don’t use it.”
It was also time for a rate increase, she said, because the city has been operating the lots at a deficit and needs more revenue to cover lot maintaince costs, including snow removal. Currently, daily commuters pay anywhere from $2 to $5 depending on the lot.
Monthly permits cost $120 per quarter. They will be replaced with two bundle options — $14.25 to park for five days, which is 75 cents less than paying $3 a day, or a $54 monthly bundle, saving $6 to $12 depending on how many work days are in the month.
Parking machines at each lot let commuters pay with cash or credit cards or they can use the PayByPhone app on their smartphones. The latter includes a transaction fee, which council members would like to see reduced or eliminated and have asked city staff to research options.
Councilman Nate Wilson cast the only no vote against the change, saying he believes commuters should pay more for priority parking. He’d prefer those using lots closer to the train station, like the one at the DuPage Children’s Museum, pay $5 a day and those farther away pay $2.50.
He also noted he has never had an issue finding daily parking even before the pandemic and with some permit holders abusing the system.
Council members acknowledged that commuters will be paying more at the start of the year, but the increase is warranted given that parking rates haven’t gone up since 2008.
“We know it’s not perfect for every commuter and we appreciate the comments we’ve gotten from people via email and at meetings,” Councilman Patrick Kelly said. “I’m hopeful and optimistic we are going to get over the hump.”
The council also approved designating 24 parking spaces in the Burlington lot and 21 spaces in the Route 59 lot as preferred parking for seniors over age 65 and expectant mothers.