Boston street parking prices could go up

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) - Parking at Boston meters could be getting more expensive if the mayor has his way.

Mayor Marty Walsh is evaluating a new plan to jack up parking meter fees. The hike would apply to the areas of the city like Fenway Park and the Back Bay.

Mayor Walsh unveiled the proposed parking meter rate hikes at the greater Boston chamber of commerce annual breakfast Thursday. He said the rate hike is aimed at reducing congestion from people circling the block to look for cheaper, on-street parking. He also said the new prices would mirror higher meter prices in other major U.S. cities.

Mayor Walsh says other cities, like San Francisco charge more in high-traffic areas. Meters there cost as much as $7 an hour.

"Just because we are looking at an idea adopted by other cities does not mean that we are buying their pricing model," said Walsh Friday."This is a plan for a pilot program that we have only just started to explore to see if it works for Boston and $7 an hour has never been on the table."

Retailers and residents said the meters penalize people who live in Boston and will drive away customers.

Mayor Walsh noted that at $1.25 an hour, city meters are three to five times cheaper than other cities. He said they are going to study the plan that could give select parking meters flexible rates, based on demand.

Cox Media Group