The Case for Tearing Down Park-and-Ride Lots

Calgary is planning to remove all but 500 of the 1,750 park-and-ride spots at its suburban Anderson light rail station, and gradually convert the space into a mixed-use development. This angers some regular commuters, of course, but local officials have stayed firm. Responding to the concern a couple weeks ago, a local councilman said massive park-and-ride lots simply run counter to the city's growth strategy:

Debates about the merits of park-and-ride facilities crop up in metro areas all over the country. They're not always about tearing down a lot; sometimes they're about deciding whether to build one (or how big to make it) in the first place. And they're not just reserved for big car-oriented suburbs; New York City mayoral candidate Joe Lhota suggested adding park-and-ride to remote subway stops last fall.