News

Panel votes to double Salem T station parking fee

Board thinks two rates are 'terribly confusing'

By Tom Dalton
Staff writer
Published: December 2, 2008

SALEM — There was more bad news for commuters yesterday when the city's Parking Board voted to double the parking fee in its portion of the MBTA commuter rail lot.

The board's recommendation to go from $2 to $4 follows a similar move by the MBTA, which began collecting the higher fee two weeks ago.

The proposal by the city board, which operates 123 spaces in the 460-space surface lot, will go to Mayor Kim Driscoll and then the City Council for approval.

City officials got an earful from train riders last week when they went down to the station to collect signatures in support of building a new 1,000-car garage. While commuters signed the petition and said they would like to see more parking, many expressed outrage over the higher parking fee, which means they now pay about $1,000 a year to park at Salem station.

One woman accused the financially troubled MBTA of "sticking it to the little guy."

The city Parking Board said it voted for the increase to make parking rates consistent for the whole commuter lot.

It would have been "terribly confusing to have two different rates in the same lot," said Parking Board member Tim Doggett.

The all-day parking fee has been $2 for about five years, according to city Parking Director Jim Hacker.

Although commuters may complain, the proposed fee is in line with other city parking rates, the board said. Motorists can buy stamps and park for $3 a day in city garages.

"It's pretty reasonable," board member John Walsh said.

The board also justified the increase by earmarking the additional revenue to an "enterprise fund" that will help maintain parking facilities, including the city part of the MBTA lot, which is filled with potholes.

"Every year, it just seems to wash out a little more," Hacker said.

He estimated it would cost in the "six figures" to repave the lot.

If this recommendation is adopted by the City Council, revenue generated by this one lot could go from about $60,000 to $120,000 a year, assuming it is filled on weekdays. The parking lot generally does fill up, forcing motorists to park along busy Bridge Street.

If the rate goes to $4, the city will have to buy a new "honor board," where motorist stick the dollar bills, Hacker said. A new board could cost up to $11,000, he said.

The board voted unanimously to recommend the fee increase. Voting for the measure were Chairman Sam Spatafore and members Mike Caggiano, Walsh and Doggett.

Some may see this proposed fee hike as one more potential blow for North Shore commuters. The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority recently voted to double the toll for the Sumner and Ted Williams tunnels from $3.50 to $7. There will be a hearing Dec. 15 at Lynn City Hall on that proposal.