This is true in Suburban Chicago...
Instead of building more parking, they build more stations which in turn slows down the train with more stops creating a double wammy.
But its good for the housing developers who build multi-million dollar houses within walking distance of the train lines in places like Lake Forrest.
Not very efficient though, as people without cars (living in apartments and such) should be close to the station and people with cars should drive to the station...
Scott
P.S. Where there are parking lots, they also have parking meters that charge parking rates that aren't much better than those in downtown...Hell why take the train...They won't even let you bring your bike on board...