PARKING CHALLENGE IN BOSTON SOLVED
Are you planning a fantastic trip to Boston? Or are you already living in Boston?. This is travel records and today I’ll be talking about parking in Boston and how well you can avoid parking tickets throughout your stay in the City.
Boston is the capital city of the state of Massachusetts with an approximate population of 675,000 people and 4.8 million people living in the greater Boston metropolitan area. The city is a travel destination for many all over the world for tourism, shopping, education, Leisure, and many more.
Like Many other major cities, the city of Boston also have its challenges and one of it is Parking. This guide is intended to help you avoid offences relating to parking. Boston city is very compressed and this give rise to parking issues within the city. So, the city does not allow off street parking.
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DOES BOSTON ALLOWS OFF STREET PARKING?
No, the city does not permit off street parking. You will be required a residential parking permit.
HOW DO I GET A RESIDENT PARKING PERMIT?
Well, it’s quite easy to get a resident parking permit in Boston. There a number of available options you can choose from when applying for Resident parking permit. Below are the options available.
New Residents Parking Permit
If you are new Resident in Boston or you simply never had a residential parking permit before. Then, this is the ideal option for you. Very simple, you can apply online (alternatively, download the ParkBoston App and pay securely), or in person at City Hall. To apply online you need to have the following details available:
- Plate name
- Vehicle make
- Vehicle year
- Street name
- Street number
- Neighbourhood
- State
- ZIP code
- Home phone number
- Work phone number
- Your email
In addition to the above details the following information are required: A valid Massachusetts vehicle registration. And any of the following proofs of residency bearing your name and Boston address; credit card Bill, water and sewer Bill, monthly bank statement, cable television Bill, gas, electricity or telephone Bill.
Can’t apply online? No cause for alarm! Here is how to do it. Download the resident parking permit application here, print out, and fill out all the required field and bring it with you to Boston city hall along with the following; A valid Massachusetts registration, valid proof of residency (see above).
Submit it to the parking clerk on 1 City Hall Square, Room 224 Boston, MA 02201. The office is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Note, when you apply in person you will get your resident permit that day. While it can take up to 10 working days to get your resident permit when you apply online.
Parking Meters
A Parking meter is a device or machine used for the collection of money in exchange for the right to park a vehicle in a particular place for a limited period. In Boston, the parking meters can be seen in strategic places and they of different types.
Types of Parking Meters in Boston
The city uses different types of meters in different locations. We have the the IPS SINGLE SPACE METERS, PARKON PAY AND DISPLAY METERS.
The IPS SINGLE SPACE METERS are located throughout the city. They can be found mainly on poplar shopping, business and entertainment areas. This type of meters accept quarters, and debit or credit cards from Discover, MasterCard, or Visa.
PARKON PAY AND DISPLAY METERS are battery operated meters, recharged by solar power and have instruction in both English and Spanish. Try as much as possible to always put the receipt on the inside of your car’s curbside window to show you have paid.
Parking meters with redcapped domes mean the meters are in effect at certain times due to parking restrictions.
Parking meters with yellow capped domes mean the metered space are also used as loading zones at times during the day.
Parking Meter Cost
In Boston the parking fees varies from one neighborhood to another. Find below the rates according to the different neighborhoods.
- Back Bay: $3.75 per hour
- South Boston waterfront: $3.75 per hour, except D street, which is priced at $2.50 per hour.
- Fenway/Kenmore: $2.50/hr
- Bulfinch Triangle: $2.50 per hour. This is applied to causeway street, Lomasney Way, Stanford street, Merrimack street, New chardon street, and North Washington street.
- Motorcycle parking: $0.50 per hour at all parking Stalls.
- Beacon Hill, the Financial district, and the south End, priced at $2.00 per hour.
How do I pay a Parking Ticket
In Boston you can pay your parking ticket using any of the following channels; online, by email, over the phone, or even in person. you can either pay by your ticket or notice number when paying online.
Notes: only debit or credit cards from MasterCard, Visa, Discover, or American Express can be used. There is also an online service fee of 2.75% of the total ticket cost. Click here for more information on how to pay ticket online.
For payment by mail, you will be required to write to the city boldly stating your ticket and registration number, name and address, and payment for the fine. Note, this method only accept personal checks or money orders made payable to the city of Boston. Send your information to: City of Boston, P.O Box 55800, Boston, MA 02205.
Payment over the phone; make sure you have all your details. Dial the number 617-635-3888. That’s all, the line is open 24/7 .
To pay in person, walk into the parking clerk’s office located on ; 1 City Hall Square, Room 224 Boston, MA 02201. Here you can pay by cash, debit or credit cards, checks or money orders made payable to the city of Boston.
How Do I Avoid Parking Tickets
As said earlier parking in Boston can be very difficult mainly in some neighborhoods. But here are some tips for avoiding parking tickets while in Boston.
- Alway check for parking signs: Get familiar with street parking signs. An arrow on the parking sign will always point in the direction of restricted parking. While arrows pointing in opposite directions simply means the whole street is affected by the parking restriction.
- Do not park on sidewalks and crosswalks, or block Intersections: Parking your vehicles or motorcycles in these areas can get you into trouble. Take this tips serious and you will not break the law and get parking tickets.
- Keep your car inspection current: This simply mean you must always make sure your sticker is up-to-date and not an expired one. Having an expired sticker in your car is an offence and this have consequences.
- Street cleaning signs: In some neighborhoods, street cleaning take place every two weeks and this means parking would not be allowed during the exercise. The only solution is get a “resident parking permit”.
- No Stopping and No Standing: Take this tip very serious. In a “No stopping” zone, you can’t park your car or stop to make a drop off, a pick up, or load your car. While in a “No Standing” zone, you can’t Park car, but you make a drop off, pick up ,or load your car. These are just some simple but very important tips to help you avoid parking tickets here in Boston city
Parking Garages in Boston
Finding a Nice Parking spot in Boston can be very difficult and Time consuming. It can take you even up to an hour or two locating a good parting spot. In this section I have put together some good parking garages in Boston. You will find this section very useful when next you’re looking for a parking garage here in Boston city. You should also bear in mind that parking is very expensive in Boston. Below is a list of parking garages in Boston.
- Garage at post office square
- 75 state St.Garage
- Arch street garage
- Pi Alley Parking
- One beacon garage
- 33 Arch street garage
- Government center garage
- Haymarket square
- North End garage
- Longfellow garage
- TD garden garage
- Bradford parking
- One Greenway
- Pilgrim parking
- Sea port Boston parking
- Boston harbor garage
- Back Bay garage
Follow here for more, detail locations and prices about these garages
