Man to contest parking ticket at congested VRE station

Bristow, Va. - One man has become a victim of Virginia Railway Express' success.

Walter J. Smith Jr. boarded the 7:20 a.m. train Tuesday at Broad Run station in Bristow. When the train pulled back into the station on his trip home, he got off, walked about a quarter of a mile to where his car was parked on the shoulder of Piper Lane, and found a $35 parking ticket on his windshield. The reason for the ticket -- he failed to find a parking space.

Smith and about 175 other commuters are forced to park on the shoulders of the train station's access road. When those fill up, commuters use grassy areas on the sides of Piper Lane, where Smith said signs are posted with arrows telling drivers not to park between "here and the intersection" of the access road. But they do not completely prohibit parking on the side of the road, he said.

Broad Run is one of the most congested commuter rail stations in the state, and 897 of it's parking spaces fill up each weekday. Transportation officials are looking at several options to fix the problem, including building a $22 million parking garage or a $5 million expansion of the existing lot.

But those solutions could be years away, and Smith is still left with a ticket that states: "Failed to park in a designated space." Options on the back of the ticket for "obstructing pavement"or "sign violation" were not checked, he said.

Smith said he parked his car between two signs, each with arrows indicating no parking from here to the corner. Thinking he would be OK, he left his car and went to get the train.

Now he wants answers in what he sees as a commuter injustice. "I'd ask why I'm getting ticketed, and I'd ask them why they are doing what they're doing to commuters, he said.

"What is an acceptable space other than a designated space, and why isn't there some kind of sign on Piper Lane saying no parking anywhere?" Smith said.

Police responded, saying something similar to what a VRE representative did told Smith -- arrive earlier or use another station.

"Until more parking is available in the VRE lots, it is recommended that citizens arrive early to ensure a parking spot or drive to another VRE parking lot. The street signs are posted properly," said Prince William police spokeswoman Erika Hernandez.

Police said they will continue issuing tickets whenever they see improperly parked cars on Piper Lane.

Additional parking is available at the Manassas VRE station, on the streets of Old Town and at a municipal parking garage. Garage parking is free but limited to the third and fourth levels and commuters must get a Red parking permit from the city's treasurer's office to park.

Knowing that he would have to switch stations, Smith said he would rather drive to Metro and use it instead.

Smith still has two options. He can choose to contest the fine and appear in Prince William County Court or pay the $35. He plans to appear in court.

Staff writer Uriah A. Kiser can be reached at 703-878-8065.