WestchesterCounty’s decision to provide commuters with free rides on all county buses till the end of May is good news and should encourage residents to give our transit system a try and to save money on gas (see www.westchestergov.com).

Unfortunately, commuters who wish to take the Westchester Manhattan express bus into the city (via Central Ave) experience difficulties because commuters face difficulty finding parking spots on Central Avein Greenburgh and Yonkerswhen they take the Manhattanexpress into the city. I’d like to see the county step up efforts to find park and ride locations on Central Ave.Some commuters who park at shopping centers along Central Avecurrently are ticketed or may even had their cars towed away. Perhaps, some of the shopping center owners might be willing to rent some parking spots to the county for commuters who wish to take the bus to Manhattan. There are certainly enough spots that are not used by shoppers.  If people can’t park their cars within walking distance of bus stops – it will be difficult to persuade people to give an important transportation route a try.  This suggestion could be a win-win for everyone. The commuters win because they will be able to park their cars when they take the bus into the city. The shopping centers will generate some extra revenue for themselves (parking fees). And, many commuters might visit the stores/restaurants when they come home at the end of the day.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? If you know a landlord at a shopping center who might be willing to rent parking spots please e mail pfeiner@greenburghny.com. I will forward the information to the county.

Paul Feiner, GreenburghTownSupervisor