Westfield Train Parking: Daily Passes, Permits and Costs

By Ward 1 Councilman · · 4 min read
Westfield train station in New Jersey
Photo: Adam Moss / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Westfield residents can buy daily commuter parking online from 9 p.m. the night before: $7 for South Avenue or $5 for Watterson Street. The town uses ParkVANTAGE for daily passes, annual permits and the annual-permit waitlist. Your registered license plate identifies your permit.

If you commute a few days a week, the useful question is how to match parking to the days you actually travel. This guide brings together the current rates, the online process and a cost comparison so you can make that choice before rushing for a train.

Information checked October 29, 2026. Prices below are the town’s published 2026 rates. Confirm availability and the applicable price in the official parking portal before purchase.

How much does Westfield train parking cost?

Published 2026 commuter parking rates
PermitSouth Avenue
Lot 3
Watterson Street
Lot 6
Resident daily pass$7$5
Annual permit$776$480
Six-month permit$460$240

Daily rates come from Westfield Parking Services; the annual and six-month rates also appear in the town’s municipal parking code. A daily pass, annual permit and metered space are different parking options. Follow the conditions for the one you purchase.

Where are Lots 3 and 6?

Lot 3 is on the south side of the railroad, between South Avenue and the tracks, near the eastbound station building. Lot 6 is on the northwest side of Watterson Street, between Rahway Avenue and South Avenue. The town code identifies both locations.

On a first visit, leave time to find the permitted section and walk to your platform. A space close to the station may have a different time limit or payment requirement from the permit spaces beside it.

How do I buy a daily commuter parking pass?

  1. Set up your account in advance. Open the town’s ParkVANTAGE portal and register your vehicle.
  2. Check from 9 p.m. the evening before your trip. That is the town’s published start time for resident daily-pass purchases.
  3. Choose the correct date and lot. Review the displayed availability and price, then complete the purchase.
  4. Check the plate and confirmation. Make sure the permit is associated with the car you’re taking, and park in the eligible spaces.

The town’s online-parking instructions explain the license-plate system. Creating an account ahead of time leaves you with fewer things to work through when you need a pass.

Is a daily pass or an annual permit better value?

The answer depends on how many days you park, which lot you use and whether an annual permit is available to you. Here’s the arithmetic using the published 2026 rates:

  • South Avenue: 110 daily passes cost $770. The 111th brings the total to $777, just above the $776 annual permit.
  • Watterson: 96 daily passes cost $480, equal to the annual permit. From day 97, the annual price is lower.

For a concrete example, parking twice a week for 48 weeks means 96 days. At the listed rates, that’s $672 at South Avenue or $480 at Watterson. Parking three times a week for 48 weeks means 144 days: $1,008 at South Avenue or $720 at Watterson.

These are comparisons of listed permit prices, not a prediction of your commute or a promise of availability. Count vacations, work-from-home days and other time away when estimating your own year. Check the current terms before giving up an existing annual permit.

How do annual permits and renewals work?

You can join the annual-permit waitlist through ParkVANTAGE. The town says annual commuter renewals take place in December, and existing permit holders need an account in the new system to renew. Follow the town’s renewal instructions for the coming permit year; the prices above are labeled 2026.

When I wrote about the online parking change in June 2025, the goal was a more convenient alternative to the early-morning, in-person purchase process. That post discussed expectations before implementation. This guide uses the rates the town now publishes.

When is parking free?

According to Parking Services, Lot 3’s permit spaces are free after 10 a.m. The town also lists free Saturday parking in designated permit areas, including Lots 3, 6 and 8, and free Sunday parking throughout downtown. Check the posted signs: a rule for permit spaces does not automatically apply to nearby meters, reserved spaces or loading areas.

Can non-residents buy these daily passes?

The town describes the $7 and $5 daily commuter passes as resident passes. If you live outside Westfield, ask Parking Services which option applies to your trip before relying on this program. Older station listings may show different prices or eligibility.

Contact parking@wpdnj.org or 908-789-4044 for permit questions. For the train portion of your trip, check NJ TRANSIT for current service and ticket information.

For another downtown project affecting how people use our streets, read my Quimby Street redesign guide.