Second demand-responsive price change announced for Seaport parking meters

The Boston Transportation Department (BTD), the Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics (MONUM),) and the Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) today announced the implementation of a second demand-responsive price change related to the City of Boston’s Performance Parking Pilot Program.  Effective Monday, June 5, the price of parking at a majority of meters in the South Boston Waterfront pilot area will stay at or drop to $1.00 an hour.  Approximately 530 metered parking spaces on 40 blocks are located within the South Boston Waterfront pilot area.

This rate change is based on sensor data that allows the City to monitor average occupancy per meter space and block.  The minimum price is $1 per hour, and the maximum price is $2.50 per hour during this phase of the pilot program.  Prices vary by four time bands (weekdays 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.; 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.; 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.; and all day Saturday.)  Prices are posted on meters and are available in a searchable map online.  Parking at meters is free on Sundays in the City of Boston.

“Conveniently located, short-term parking is offered at 8,000 metered spaces in Boston,” said Boston Transportation Department Commissioner Gina N. Fiandaca.  “Data gained from this initiative is helping us to understand how our inventory of metered parking spaces can best be managed.  This innovative pilot program is working to assist BTD in our efforts to provide drivers the opportunity to easily find on-street spaces for their short-term parking needs in Boston.”

During the South Boston Waterfront pilot, prices are being adjusted every two months and remain consistent in two-month increments.  Prices will stabilize when occupancy reaches the target of about one space open per block.  This is the second pricing change during the pilot program which began in January and will run through the end of 2017.  Just as with the first dynamic price change made in April, a majority of the total meter hours in any given week will drop to or stay at $1.00 per hour.  Blocks priced at $1 should be the easiest blocks to find a parking space.  Twenty percent of meter hours in the pilot area will increase from $2 to $2.50 per hour and the rate at thirty percent of meter hours will be either $1.50 or $2 per hour.

Pricing parking on each block in a way that makes finding an available parking space easier on all blocks is a goal of the South Boston Waterfront pilot program.  The rate changes demonstrate that it is easier to find parking on some blocks at different times of day.  Frequent visitors to the South Boston Waterfront are encouraged to check the meter rates posted on the Boston.gov website to determine less expensive blocks to park on.

The performance parking pilot program also includes a fixed price change from $1.25 to $3.75 per hour at parking meters in the Back Bay.  Maps with detailed boundaries and prices of the two pilot areas can be found on Boston.gov.  Parking prices are also posted on meters as well as on the City's Park Boston app.  Residents are encouraged to share feedback on the pilot through performanceparking@boston.gov.