Boston Considering Parking Meter Rate Hike To Ease Traffic
BOSTON (CBS) – Mayor Marty Walsh said Boston officials will consider a hike in parking meter rates aimed at easing traffic issues in congested areas.
Walsh said following a speech at the Great Boston Chamber of Commerce's annual breakfast that at $1.25 per hour, Boston's parking meters are three to five times cheaper than other cities.
The mayor said with cheaper parking meters, drivers are more likely to circle the block waiting for a space to open rather than paying for parking in a more expensive garage.
In busy neighborhoods, drivers looking for parking spaces causes traffic congestion.
"We looked at what other cities have done. San Francisco did something similar," Walsh told reporters.
"One great example is Fenway Park. Around Fenway Park your parking meter is $1.25 an hour yet parking lots making $50 for a game. So we're going to be exploring that option."
San Francisco's surge pricing pushed rates to $7 per hour at some city meters. But Walsh said that such a high rate "has never been on the table" for Boston's plan.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports