MTA Long Awaited New Parking Lot At Metro-North Croton Falls Station

CROTON FALLS, NY — There is one fewer headache to worry about for Northern Westchester Metro-North commuters.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced on Tuesday the grand opening of a customer parking lot at the Metro-North Croton Falls station. The new 450-space lot includes 10 charging units for electric vehicles. In addition, sidewalks were constructed and lighting was installed along Croton Falls Road.

"Upper Harlem Line stations attract customers from multiple municipalities," Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi said, officially opening the new facility. "A brand-new customer lot will make the Croton Falls station a more attractive connecting point to move around the Hudson Valley or get to New York City."

Metro-North’s Upper Harlem Line between the Southeast and Golden's Bridge stations draws customers from both eastern Westchester County and southeastern Putnam County due to the road network and limited Metro-North customer parking availability in the area. The new lot is expected to help alleviate on-street parking concerns and provide parking for another 250 vehicles to accommodate both current and future customers.

"Access to modern parking facilities is essential if residents are to use Metro-North trains for their daily commute or for recreational purposes," NYS Senator and Chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Pete Harckham said. "In addition to convenience, trains have the potential of reducing thousands of tons of greenhouse gases by taking cars off the road that would otherwise be used for daily transportation."

Metro-North has previously addressed station access and parking issues on the Harlem Line through construction of the North White Plains station garage and expansion of parking at the Golden's Bridge station.

"The new commuter parking lot at the Croton Falls station is a significant step towards making our transportation system more accessible and convenient for all commuters," Westchester County Executive George Latimer said. "I applaud the addition of ample parking spaces and charging units for electric cars, which are not only addressing parking concerns but also promoting sustainable transportation."

In order to better understand the parking and pedestrian conditions in Croton Falls, Metro-North conducted a detailed study of transportation conditions and parking usage. In addition, there was close coordination with the NYS Department of Environmental Protection and Metro-North Environmental Compliance, since the parked vehicles had been leaking fluid into a nearby watershed.

"We are excited that the planned MTA parking area for the Croton Falls station is ready to open," North Salem Town Supervisor Warren J. Lucas said. "We look forward to the additional commuters spending some time at our businesses in Town. This adds to the 120 permit spaces and 70 daily spaces currently available in the hamlet of Croton Falls."