NAPERVILLE, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — It's another example of the changing work patterns of many people because of the pandemic. The Naperville City Council has started taking steps to eliminate quarterly parking permits at its Metra stations.
The Naperville City Council is starting with baby steps, with the ultimate aim of making all its Metra parking lot spaces “daily fee” spaces.
Jennifer Louden, deputy director of the city’s Transportation, Engineering and Development Department, said the changes would start with the Fifth Avenue station.
“While we wouldn’t be saying that we’re converting everything right now or in the next three months or even the next six months to daily fees, some of the actions that we outlined such as closing the waitlist to new applicants, as well as no longer issuing any quarterly permits so that we’re no longer entitling people with those permits, definitely gives the message that we are moving away from that system,” Louden said.
The actions are being made in response to changes in the way people work and commute now and in the future because of the pandemic.
“I’m really excited. I think this is an opportunity for the city to be creative in solving problems. And, I agree with my colleagues that, the faster, the better. It should be thoughtful, of course. If we wait until demand comes back, then we’re actually behind,” Naperville Council member Theresa Sullivan said.
Naperville will also look to technology to better inform commuters how many parking spaces are open and where.
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