Over the next two years, the City plans to replace the vast majority of existing single- and dual-parking parking meters with new payment kiosks that can accommodate multiple parking spaces and offer additional payment options, the City of Boston Transportation Commissioner said Wednesday.
"Most of these instruments in use today are at or near the end of their useful life. Transport Commissioner Nick Gove said, "This will be a phased project. Our program is expected to begin at the end of 2024 and may continue into 2026. ”
Currently, Boston has about 5,600 single- and dual-space meters, as well as about 160 multi-space payment kiosks. These multi-space kiosks, which cost upwards of $5,000 each, are currently available on places like Boylston Street.
Once the replacement is complete, there will be 500 to 700 multi-space payment kiosks throughout Boston, and the number of single and dual space meters will drop to 1,000 or less. These old systems that have not been replaced may remain in some smaller city blocks.
Nick Gove said that if a full replacement is not carried out, the increase in the number of lapsed meters will lead to a decrease in parking revenue.
He also added that while the new meters will continue to accept coins, they will also offer new electronic payment options, which may include tap-to-pay as well as pay-by-text. Neither payment method is currently available in Boston.
"Over the past decade, and indeed over the last five years, customer preferences for how to pay for parking have shifted," Gove said.
Currently, payments through credit cards and city parking apps account for more than 90% of parking revenue, while the share of coin payments has dropped dramatically.
Gove said that while the equipment upgrade is not expected to result in an increase in parking fees across the board or at specific locations, the city plans to reassess current traffic and parking regulations later this year.
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