MBTA Struggles to Furnish Parking for Commuters

Boston commuters report frustrations with a lack of parking at stations along the system—so much so that they sometimes abandon hope of finding a spot or catching a train.

1 minute read

March 23, 2015, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"The struggle to find parking [at MBTA stations] is discouraging some commuters from using public transit," according to an article by Nicole Dunga.

Dunga shares the statistics at the center of the problem: "As of late January, the T owned nearly 49,600 parking spots across the state, compared to the nearly 1.3 million rides it provides on a typical weekday. While it is difficult to know exactly how many parking spaces are needed by commuters, it is clear to some of them that the demand outpaces supply at several stations."

Despite the addition of three new parking structures at stations in the system, parking is still scarce throughout the system and one station, Quincy Center, had to permanently shut its parking garage in 2012 because of structural damage.

Dunga also quotes UCLA Professor Donald Shoup to explain the potential impacts of parking shortages on a transit system. According to Shoup, "[it's] terrible to have a full parking lot determine the success of a transit system and the value of using transit."

Similar parking shortages have been reported at suburban stations of the BART system in the San Francisco Bay Area. A one dollar fee for parking was recently implemented at some stations that had been free since the system opened in 1972.

Monday, March 23, 2015 in The Boston Globe

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

View of Austin, Texas skyline with river in foreground during morning golden hour.

The Paradox of American Housing

How the tension between housing as an asset and as an essential good keeps the supply inadequate and costs high.

March 26, 2024 - The Atlantic

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

Aerial view of Anchorage, Alaska downtown with mountains in background at golden hour.

Anchorage Leaders Debate Zoning Reform Plan

Last year, the city produced the fewest new housing units in a decade.

7 hours ago - Anchorage Daily News

Young man in wheelchair crossing zebra crosswalk.

How to Protect Pedestrians With Disabilities

Public agencies don’t track traffic deaths and injuries involving disabled people, leaving a gap in data to guide safety interventions.

March 28 - Governing

Aerial view of mountain town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado in the winter with snow at dusk.

Colorado Town Fills Workforce Housing Need With ‘Dorm-Style’ Housing

Median rent in Steamboat Springs is $4,000 per month.

March 28 - CBS News

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.