A Boston city councilor's new push to free up parking in Boston would come with a price tag for many residents.“Our streets are incredibly crowded, worst traffic in the country and this circling for spots is a large part of that congestion,” Wu said. “People don’t have enough places to park, and it’s free, and there’s no cap on the number of permits you can get.”Wu filed a proposal to begin charging for resident parking permits. It would cost $25 for the first one, and $50 for a second permit.Wu said based on other cities, charging fees results in less curbside congestion.“A lot of folks might have a spot in the alley or they might have a driveway, but it saves 30 seconds or a minute. So when we value the street closer to what it’s worth for people, it does change behavior,” Wu said.Seniors and low-income residents would be exempt.The city's parking system has not been updated since the 1980s.

A Boston city councilor's new push to free up parking in Boston would come with a price tag for many residents.

“Our streets are incredibly crowded, worst traffic in the country and this circling for spots is a large part of that congestion,” Wu said. “People don’t have enough places to park, and it’s free, and there’s no cap on the number of permits you can get.”


Wu filed a proposal to begin charging for resident parking permits. It would cost $25 for the first one, and $50 for a second permit.

Wu said based on other cities, charging fees results in less curbside congestion.

“A lot of folks might have a spot in the alley or they might have a driveway, but it saves 30 seconds or a minute. So when we value the street closer to what it’s worth for people, it does change behavior,” Wu said.

Seniors and low-income residents would be exempt.

The city's parking system has not been updated since the 1980s.