Parking at Lancaster, PA Station

[Oreius]

Who is in charge of enforcing the parking lots at Lancaster, PA station? I came to the station this morning to purchase a ticket (see Keystone #660), but discovered that you have to pay to park; there was no "15 minute" or metered parking available. Since I was only there to buy a ticket, I decided to park in the handicapped space because I would be no longer than 10 minutes tops. I come out of the station, and I see these two "cops" looking at my car. One of them asked me what I was doing "here," and I stated I was here to purchase a ticket and then leave. He gave me a nasty lecture, stating "what if someone else needed that spot?" There were several other handicapped spaces available. The guy intimidated me to say the least. He didn't give me a ticket, though.

 

[fairviewroad]

Parking at LNC is a bit of a clusterbleep at the moment due to the extensive street construction project going on outside.

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/890659_Why-Amtrak-is-racing-the-clock-on-Lancaster-train-station-work.html

In the past there has been free parallel parking on McGovern Avenue and other local streets within a 5-minute walk.

However, the station has not offered free short-term parking on-premises for several decades, IIRC. There have been

meters outside there for as long I can remember, though generally a quarter yielded more than enough time to run in

for a ticket purchase.

However, with the recent reconfiguration of the parking lot, combined with the street construction, I'm not as familiar with

the current options. I think you got off easy as the cop was certainly within his right to issue you a ticket.

One option to avoid this hassle would simply be to purchase your train tickets online or via Amtrak's 800 number. With the

advent of e-tickets, you no longer have any need to visit a staffed station to pick up tickets.

 

[PRR 60]

Who is in charge of enforcing the parking lots at Lancaster, PA station? I came to the station this morning to purchase a ticket (see Keystone #660), but discovered that you have to pay to park; there was no "15 minute" or metered parking available. Since I was only there to buy a ticket, I decided to park in the handicapped space because I would be no longer than 10 minutes tops. I come out of the station, and I see these two "cops" looking at my car. One of them asked me what I was doing "here," and I stated I was here to purchase a ticket and then leave. He gave me a nasty lecture, stating "what if someone else needed that spot?" There were several other handicapped spaces available. The guy intimidated me to say the least. He didn't give me a ticket, though.

I think I have to ask why you had to go to the station to buy the ticket? Amtrak tickets, even those purchased at stations, are now e-tickets. You can buy the ticket on-line and get an e-ticket PDF by e-mail that you can print at home or you can print the e-ticket at the station on the day of travel. There is no advantage to buying a ticket at the station, and having a run-in with the Amtrak Police over parking is big disadvantage.

 

[Oreius]

I had to go to the station because I had to redeem a gift certificate. It stated you have to go to a ticket booth to redeem it.

 

[fairviewroad]

I had to go to the station because I had to redeem a gift certificate. It stated you have to go to a ticket booth to redeem it.

OK, fair enough. Sorry you had the parking hassle. I do think it will get better at LNC in the next few months.

It's definitely becoming a very popular station and has been going through growing pains over the past decade.

 

[PRR 60]

I had to go to the station because I had to redeem a gift certificate. It stated you have to go to a ticket booth to redeem it.

Ah, gotcha.

 

[Oreius]

That's why I like E-Town. Plenty of parking (free too!), actually closer to my house, and since there are only two stops before it I can pretty much sit almost anywhere. They also did a nice job renovating this station!

 

[crew]

Never, ever park in a disabled access space if you don't have the proper tag and a legal disability. Never. You can use the accessible stall in the restroom, or the accessible restroom on the train, etc., as long as you give priority if someone comes by and says they have a disability. Only in the case of parking is the space exclusively for the use of people with disabilities. Although I have a disability myself (and a lawsuit against Amtrak regarding it, which they are probably going to settle), I do not have and currently do not need a placard for accessible parking, so I never attempt to park in an accessible space. It is not my right, and it is not yours. Frankly, I think you should be ashamed of yourself for having done so; you say there were "several other handicapped <sic> spaces available"? I'm guessing there were probably many more standard spaces available, and you could have parked there perfectly easily.

 

[BCL]

Never, ever park in a disabled access space if you don't have the proper tag and a legal disability. Never. You can use the accessible stall in the restroom, or the accessible restroom on the train, etc., as long as you give priority if someone comes by and says they have a disability. Only in the case of parking is the space exclusively for the use of people with disabilities. Although I have a disability myself (and a lawsuit against Amtrak regarding it, which they are probably going to settle), I do not have and currently do not need a placard for accessible parking, so I never attempt to park in an accessible space. It is not my right, and it is not yours. Frankly, I think you should be ashamed of yourself for having done so; you say there were "several other handicapped <sic> spaces available"? I'm guessing there were probably many more standard spaces available, and you could have parked there perfectly easily.

My dad accidentally let out my mom at a bank parking lot over a disabled parking space while we were visiting relatives in Southern California. I was there and didn't notice it with terribly faded lines and various aspects that weren't compliant with the requirements for a space in California. Got a ticket as city parking enforcement swooped in to issue a ticket on private property. I tried to help fight it. You really couldn't see anything, and the required signs were 3 feet off the ground with people standing in front of them waiting for the ATM. I think it would have been easier to fight in court in front of a judge, but the attempts to contest the ticket via mail (we had a relative living in the area) didn't work, with the city claiming everything was compliant. We didn't have the time to return to Southern California to schedule a court date and then to argue in court.

I think it was a racket where the city knew few people used those spaces because the lot was in disrepair. The parking enforcement vehicle swooped down on us like a cop with a speed trap.

 

[Guest]

Who is in charge of enforcing the parking lots at Lancaster, PA station?

The police, station security, et al.

... , I decided to park in the handicapped space because I would be no longer than 10 minutes tops.

In PA law, there are no exceptions, especially one for "I am too cheap to pay for parking".

You basically admit, you choose to violate the law, but felt that such is no one business, even "cops".

BTW, I'll mention that PA law requires the handicapped parking space to be posted as such with a sign, and that the sign list the fine amounts. If the fines aren't listed (which is true in many cases), one could "bet" the ticket.

 

[Oreius]

Both "Guests",

I did not choose to violate the law; I felt I had no choice. It was not like I was going to spend hours or days there. I only needed 10 minutes, and there was no other parking available except for the Amtrak employees. I do have a legal, legitimate disability: Autism. I may not have the placard, but I could certainly argue that in this case. I almost always never park in handicapped spaces, but since the parking situation is all-screwed up due to construction, it was a difficult choice.

 

[crew]

Both "Guests",
I did not choose to violate the law; I felt I had no choice. It was not like I was going to spend hours or days there. I only needed 10 minutes, and there was no other parking available except for the Amtrak employees. I do have a legal, legitimate disability: Autism. I may not have the placard, but I could certainly argue that in this case. I almost always never park in handicapped spaces, but since the parking situation is all-screwed up due to construction, it was a difficult choice.

The fact remains: if you do not have a placard, you have NO right to park there. And in your original post, you said there was paid parking (which you were too cheap for, apparently) so in point of fact, you DID have a choice; perhaps there was street parking a block or two away, if you still couldn't be bothered to shell out a dollar or two. You aren't above the law just because you're SOOOOOO busy...

 

[Guest]

I do have a legal, legitimate disability: Autism. I may not have the placard, but I could certainly argue that in this case.

Being eligible for a placard is no substitute for actually having one. If you feel that Autism entitles you to a placard (Autism makes you mobility impaired), then I encourage you to get one. However, until you do, you cannot park in handicapped parking for even 1 minute.

The fact remains: if you do not have a placard, you have NO right to park there. And in your original post, you said there was paid parking (which you were too cheap for, apparently) so in point of fact, you DID have a choice; perhaps there was street parking a block or two away, if you still couldn't be bothered to shell out a dollar or two. You aren't above the law just because you're SOOOOOO busy...

Well said.

 

[Barciur]

To take this completely away from the handicapped issue:

I'm guessing there were probably many more standard spaces available, and you could have parked there perfectly easily.

I'm guessing you have never seen Lancaster station parking? There is basically never any parking options available. It's always filled up as it's a very small lot.

Personally, I always ride my bike to this station. Driving would be a hassle totally not worth it. If you live in the city and own a bike, I strongly encourage that.

 

[BCL]

I remember asking if there was a place for the Amish to park their buggies.

 

[Oreius]

OK everyone. I admit I made a mistake. I should not have parked in the handicapped section. Maybe I should have called the station before going out and buying my ticket, and they could have told me where to park if you are simply purchasing tickets. I was afraid I would get yelled at by the parking attendant if I simply parked there and walked into the station. I couldn't park in the "drop-off zone," nor in front of the station where the taxis stand. So, I have learned from my mistake. At least I wasn't ticketed or towed!

 

[Oreius]

I did, however, feel the cop was "power-hungry" and belligerent. He scared me!

 

[BCL]

OK everyone. I admit I made a mistake. I should not have parked in the handicapped section. Maybe I should have called the station before going out and buying my ticket, and they could have told me where to park if you are simply purchasing tickets. I was afraid I would get yelled at by the parking attendant if I simply parked there and walked into the station. I couldn't park in the "drop-off zone," nor in front of the station where the taxis stand. So, I have learned from my mistake. At least I wasn't ticketed or towed!

I don't have any issues with honest mistakes or where parking in such spaces was done without malice. I do think there's a special place in Heck for those who fraudulently use disabled plates/placards.

 

[TVRM610]

Is anyone else thinking of the Seinfeld Handicap Parking episode?

I also thought it was pretty crazy that Guest Crew informed us that it was "ok" to use the handicap restrooms on board Amtrak. Hello? Some amtrak cars only have handicap restrooms! I should hope its ok!

 

[benjibear]

Lancaster's parking is pretty screwy. The only time the parking attendant is there, that I have seen, is first thing in the morning. Other times, there are envelopes to pay for parking on the honor system. There is tag to place in your car that you actually paid for parking. In the AM they mark it on a sheet in the little parking hut.

I believe the sign on the parking hit states that it is free for 15 or 30 minutes. So paying for parking to run in and get a ticket should be free. However, I always thought it would be nice to have a few spots for people to get tickets.

For people that are not familiar with Lancaster, parking is bad. They just redid everything but I am not sure they improved parking that much. If you are getting the 5:30ish train towards Philly, you can find a spot. If you are getting the next later train, you may get a spot if you are early enough. The lot doesn't start clearing until the afternoon when people start coming back. Many try to park on the street to save the parking fee so the streets get filled up quick.

 

[Nathanael]

If you have to stop your car and get out somewhere where it is illegal to park, *always leave your blinkers on*. That's the indication that you're stopped there for emergency reasons, and you're available to move it if necessary.

 

[trainman74]

If you have to stop your car and get out somewhere where it is illegal to park, *always leave your blinkers on*. That's the indication that you're stopped there for emergency reasons, and you're available to move it if necessary.

Although keep in mind that the flashers don't have magic powers, and you can very well still get a ticket.

 

[Acela150]

In Philly your hazards mean... "I'm parked illegally give me a ticket". The Parking Authority here in Philly is hated by many. I'm 50/50 with em. BTW in Philly parking in a Handicapped spot without proper tags or placards is a $301 fine. And you get towed..

 

[fairviewroad]

This won't help things in the short term, but momentum is growing to turn the vacant lot on the north side

of the tracks into a parking lot for the Amtrak station:

For Amtrak commuters frustrated by the lack of long-term parking spaces at the Lancaster station, there might be light at the end of the tunnel.

PennDOT officials confirmed Monday that owners of a site adjacent to the station at 30 Keller Ave., once occupied by the Host Town motel, met with PennDOT district staff to discuss the possibility of constructing a surface parking lot on the now-vacant property.

The plan also calls for a bridge from the lot that would provide commuters with direct access to the station.

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/898611_Commuter-parking-a-possibility-for--vacant-site-near-Lancaster-Amtrak-station.html