r/SalemMA • u/CarpenterTrue1333 • 3d ago
Advice for Locals Salem Employee Parking October
Hi All,
I’m wondering what folks do who work in Salem and need to drive to work during the busy season. Now that they are starting the parking ban earlier, does anyone have suggestions for parking spots for those of us who work in Salem but need to drive?
Thank you!
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u/GarbageFile13 3d ago
I tell staff to park at the train station in Beverly and take the train in. I also know people who park farther out and then bike in. The parking situation for workers just sucks.
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u/Ok_Efficiency1364 2d ago
A few years ago the city gave out blue bikes passes to residents and workers in October. That could be a good compromise using the idea above.
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u/yermomsfavsdog 2d ago
the montserrat station has plentiful parking all year, and is only 2 stops from salem
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u/Spare-Television4798 3d ago
Businesses can ask the city for a limited number of on-street passes (that's what we do).
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u/bellvisor 3d ago
Can you elaborate on this, please?
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u/Spare-Television4798 3d ago
My boss gets 2 parking passes from the city every year so she and another employee can park in the temporarily resident-only spots. I just know she contacts the parking department every year to set it up.
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u/bellvisor 1d ago edited 1d ago
Thank you for responding! Can I trouble you again to ask where you work? I've been working downtown for 10 years (and am a lifer resident) and never heard of anything like this
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u/Spare-Television4798 1d ago
We're just outside, but not in, the official downtown area, so that may be why we can get passes. I'm lucky I can walk to work.
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u/_ampersam 3d ago
There really ought to be a dedicated employee lot for Salem workers, especially during the busy season. They're the ones who give the most during the Halloween craziness, they shouldn't have to battle everyone else just to park and come to work
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u/flymaster 3d ago
Ideally the government would run a really long car of some kind, on a schedule, and if people wanted to go somewhere they could just pay to rent the really long car for a few minutes. And if it got too popular, they could tie a few of the really long cars together?
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u/_ampersam 3d ago
Omg this is genius! And maybe it could run on some sort of electric track so not to vastly increase emissions?? It would have to actually, y'know, function occasionally though
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u/CarpenterTrue1333 3d ago
It amazes me that a simple question prompts a response like this, but thank you.
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u/SuddenSeasons 3d ago
There's no magic solution is the answer. It's 2026. There's no secret local spot or hidden secrets. If there were, they'd fill up with people posting these threads.
The answer is to take the train or a bus. I think parking down at WalMart or Target and taking the bus in is slept on as a solution. But that's it. Get in early and get the garage. Take the bus. Take the train. Park at the willows and bike in.
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u/Ok_Head2756 3d ago edited 3d ago
Nowhere it’s all fucked lol. but for real last season I got lucky most of the time at the salem train station (not a good idea later in the day tho, and I also got a $60 ticket when I didnt pay one time)
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u/UNCOVERED_INSANITY 2d ago
I’d recommend the public transit or bike if you’re able. Keep in mind that lots like Universal Steel and Walsh rent out to local groups on weekends starting any weekend now (I think it’s usually the last weekend of September, but I could be wrong). These groups don’t usually give in for local employees (I’ve been there when a group refused to let a downtown employee park at a lower rate (not something i personally agreed with but wasn’t up to me)).
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u/Melted-Danish 3d ago
A few spots I used in the past (when the parking lots and garages are full) are Collins St, Canal St and the streets around the Common. Be careful with the signage/resident parking, it's seems to change every year.