Free parking in Bayonne to lure shoppers until New Year

December 11, 2013

The city of Bayonne, New Jersey has lifted parking fees in certain areas for the entire month of December. City officials hope that the free parking in Bayonne will help generate holiday business.

The Bayonne Parking Utility has suspended parking fees at the city’s metered parking spots for all non-commercial vehicles. “The free parking program will encourage people to visit Bayonne and do their holiday shopping in local stores,” Mayor Mark A. Smith says.

According to the official website, the free parking in Bayonne “does not apply to commercial vehicles or to on-street parking meters. All commercial and non-commercial drivers must continue feeding the meters on the streets.”

The current paid permit program, which applies to commercial vehicles that park overnight in the lots, also remains in effect.

Sunset at Bayonne Bridge

Due to free parking in the city, the Bayonne Bridge may see more traffic than usual this holiday season. Image by Alex Goldmark

Free parking in Bayonne will end on January 1, 2014, after which normal parking fee will apply. Typically, drivers are charged 25 cents every half an hour of parking with a maximum amount of $5 that can be inserted in a parking meter.

Mayor Smith has thanked the Bayonne Parking Utility for introducing the annual free parking policy again during the 2013 holiday season. “I would like to encourage everyone who lives or works in Bayonne to spread the word about this holiday season parking lot program,” he adds.

Free parking in other cities

Parking authorities in other cities too, have introduced similar programs to boost holiday business. One of them is the Philadelphia Parking Authority, which will not enforce expired meter violations between 11 am and 5 pm on Saturdays in December at specific areas in the city.

Boston officials have also introduced 2013 Holiday Programs, which include free parking on certain days, resolving parking tickets by giving toys, and a 20 percent discount on meter cards.

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Category: Miscellaneous, News, Regulations

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