Harrison Parking Garage A Commuter Lifeline If NJTransit Workers Strike

As New Jersey braces for a potential strike by NJ Transit train conductors beginning as soon as Friday, May 16, 2025, the Town of Harrison may find an unexpected opportunity to turn a long-standing financial liability into a strategic commuter asset: the underutilized Harrison Parking Garage.

Located directly adjacent to the Harrison PATH Station, the town-owned parking facility could become a vital alternative for thousands of displaced rail commuters. With NJ Transit projecting widespread disruptions to its 172,000 weekday rail riders in the event of a walkout, alternative transit options—particularly those offering access to PATH service into Jersey City and New York City—are expected to see a dramatic surge in demand.

The Harrison Parking Garage, originally built by Hudson County as part of the Harrison Redevelopment Plan and later acquired by the Town of Harrison just before the COVID-19 pandemic, has struggled to fulfill its financial promise. Daily and monthly occupancy rates have remained low as the remote and hybrid work shift drastically reduced the number of commuters. To date, the town has supplemented garage operating costs and debt payments with property tax revenue, sparking criticism from residents over the financial burden.

Residents have also voiced frustration with parking rates and lack of guaranteed spaces in the garage. Tensions escalated when the Harrison Mayor and Council installed metered parking on nearly every side street in the South Harrison (SOHA) district near the PATH Station in an attempt to generate additional revenue. Critics argue that the move has penalized residents without resolving the underlying revenue issues tied to the garage’s underuse.

However, the looming transit crisis could shift that equation.

SOHA Neighborhood Near Harrison Path Station

In preparation for a possible strike, NJ Transit has announced limited contingency plans, including enhanced bus service and temporary park-and-ride locations. One of the few designated sites for commuter drop-off is the Harrison PATH Station, reinforcing the area’s strategic importance during transit emergencies.

Unlike makeshift park-and-ride sites at malls or concert venues, Harrison offers something rare: a purpose-built, secure parking structure with seamless access to the PATH—a subway system not impacted by the strike threat. Commuters traveling by car from across northern and central New Jersey could reach Harrison via Route 280, the New Jersey Turnpike, or Route 21, park their vehicles, and transfer to PATH for the remainder of their journey into Manhattan or Jersey City.

Before the pandemic, this exact routine was common among New Jersey professionals seeking a cost-effective and reliable way to complete their morning commutes. A surge in demand for parking at the Harrison facility, should the strike proceed, could recapture a portion of that pre-pandemic commuter base—and give the Town of Harrison a much-needed boost in parking revenue.

Whether the current labor standoff is resolved at the eleventh hour or not, the situation offers a timely reminder of the Harrison Parking Garage’s potential value in the region’s broader transportation network. In a time of crisis, a once-overlooked piece of infrastructure might just reclaim its role as a gateway to the city—and a financial stabilizer for the town.

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