Officials Dedicate 2 Park-and-Ride Lots in Simi Valley

As a host of local officials looked on, California Department of Transportation managers Wednesday dedicated the opening of Simi Valley’s two new park-and-ride lots.

Bob Sassaman, a chief deputy with Caltrans, joined state Sen. Cathie Wright, City Council members Barbara Williamson and Paul Miller and City Manager Mike Sedell at the grand opening ceremony Wednesday morning.

“It’s one more opportunity for the residents of this community to voluntarily contribute to cleaner air through car-pooling, Metrolink or other forms of compliance with air-quality regulations,” Sedell said.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the eastbound Erringer Road onramp to the Simi Valley Freeway, although another lot was simultaneously dedicated at the eastbound Tapo Canyon Road onramp.

Each facility is equipped with 96 parking stalls, two handicapped parking places and two bicycle lockers. Bus service will be provided to each site by Simi Valley Transit.

Sedell said Simi Valley residents often take advantage of park-and-ride facilities, which allow commuters to leave their cars behind while they travel to work.

“The park-and-ride spaces in this city are almost always full or mostly full,” Sedell said. “So there certainly is a demand for it here.”