Events like the Polar Express could be the gift that keeps on giving.
Phillipsburg is hoping that events like the annual Polar Express will be gifts that keep on giving.
Under a recently approved ordinance, the town will charge for parking weekends at three lots around South Main Street.
While it technically went into effect Friday, the first fees won't be collected until next weekend, just in time for the first runs of the Polar Express -- a Christmas-themed train ride that organizers say sold 30,000 tickets when they went on sale in June.
Municipal parking lots in Phillipsburg may soon get ticket machines, like this one in Bethlehem. (Matt Smith | lehighvalleylive.com file photo) "For once, the town will start to make revenue" on the attraction, Mayor Stephen Ellis said.
Delaware River Railroad Excursions -- which brings an estimated 100,000 people to Phillipsburg for the Polar Express and other train events throughout the year -- is on board with the parking fees.
"We're 100 percent for it as a way of financing and rebuilding the downtown Phillipsburg area," said Chris Cotti, vice president of The New York Susquehanna & Western Technical & Historical Society, the operator of the excursions. The Polar Express runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 25 to Dec. 18.
The railroad excursions website already directs visitors to the three parking lots where Phillipsburg will now charge.
At first, the parking lots will be manned. Ticket machines will eventually be installed, Ellis said. There is no plan at this point to extend the fees to weekday hours.
PARKING IN P'BURG
Three municipal lots will begin charging daily parking fees between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
1. Market Street lot
Where: Off South Main Street, between Tyndall and Hudson streets
Price: $2
2. Transit lot
Where: Off South Main Street, across from Joe's Steak Shop
Price: $2
3. Riverside Way lot
Where: By the free bridge
Price: $5
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.