Boston Mayor Wants to End Dynamic Pricing for Parking

"Boston drivers could get relief from sky-high parking meter fees in Hub hot spots like Newbury Street or the Seaport District by the end of the year after Mayor Martin J. Walsh found the peak pricing strategy failed to cut congestion," according to an article by Hillary Chabot.

Mayor Walsh is quoted directly in the article, describing the failed expectations of the pilot project he launched in January: "If it doesn’t make a significant improvement in cutting back traffic, I don’t see any reason for surge pricing,” he said. Mayor Walsh is not quoted considering whether cheaper parking might inspire more people to drive, thus creating more congestion.

"The program jacked up meter fees at more than 2,200 parking spaces in the Seaport as well as the Back Bay, from $1 to up to $3.75 currently," according to Chabot. "The pilot program is part of a larger study examining the future of parking in Boston and how parking policies can increase business access and ensure access to parking spaces."