Is the Ridgewood Rt. 17 Park & Ride NJ’s Biggest Eyesore? It’s Time for Litter Tickets
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood, NJ – If you’ve commuted through the Route 17 Park and Ride lately, you know the “disgraceful mess” isn’t an exaggeration. Despite repeated reports, the area remains a dumping ground for coffee cups, fast-food wrappers, and overflowing debris.
While the Village of Ridgewood has historically pushed COACH Bus (Coach USA) and state transit authorities to step up their maintenance, the needles haven’t moved. The question remains: Is it a Village issue, a Bus Company issue, or a Bergen County failure?
Regardless of who owns the pavement, the mess is a slap in the face to a town known for its pristine reputation. Perhaps it’s time for the Village to stop asking for cleanups and start issuing tickets.
The High Cost of “Littering” in Ridgewood
For those thinking the Park and Ride is a consequence-free zone, think again. Ridgewood’s Village Code is designed to protect our “walk in the park” atmosphere, and the fines are steep enough to make anyone think twice before tossing a bottle.
| Violation Type | Ordinance / Law | Minimum Fine | Maximum Fine |
| General Littering | Ordinance 2963 | $25.00 | $1,000.00 |
| Overflowing Dumpsters | Ordinance 3206 | $250.00 | $2,000.00 |
| Pet Waste | Ordinance 2964 | — | $500.00 |
| Vehicle Littering | NJ State Law 39:4-64 | $100.00 | $1,000.00 |
What Counts as a Violation?
The Village doesn’t just target those who drop a candy wrapper. You can be cited for:
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Vehicle Fallout: If trash falls or is thrown from your car, you (the owner/operator) are on the hook.
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Improper Disposal: Pedestrian litter baskets are for “on-the-go” trash only—not your household kitchen bags.
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Accumulation: Property owners (and potentially transit operators) are required to keep parking areas and sidewalks free of debris.
Who is Watching?
Enforcement isn’t just up to the Ridgewood Police Department. In our Village, you can also be cited by the Health Department Sanitarian, the Director of Public Works, or the Construction Official.
The Bottom Line
The Route 17 Park and Ride is the “welcome mat” to our community for thousands of commuters. If the authorities and transit companies won’t keep it clean, the Village should lean on these ordinances to force a change.
Pro-Tip: If you do receive a summons for a minor offense, check the “Court Required” box. If it’s not checked, you can usually settle the fine through the NJMC Direct website without a trip to municipal court.
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Tags: #RidgewoodNJ #BergenCounty #NJTransit #CleanCommunities #Route17 #CommuterLife #NJNews #LitterControl
Perhaps it’s time for someone to empty the garbage can.
Maybe Mr Thumbs-Down could do some work and go over there.
Are those the trash cans that Siobhan recommended? They look way too small.
it’s so frustrating especially bc tickets from both coach and nj transit are insanely expensive
I believe the park and ride is state property. The village does not have any say in its operations and conditions. Perhaps this is an issue for the DOT?
A couple of Sundays ago the bus arrived more than 15 minutes after the schedule said it would. Of course I had gotten there early in case it left early, which also happens. It was cold and windy.
Thank you for sharing, timely and really explains why the trash is overflowing.
Littering and…
Hey put bigger cans, that just makes sense.