FRAMINGHAM — A new deal reached last week between the MBTA and the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority could open the door for a major expansion of the Framingham commuter rail parking lot.

Under a lease agreement signed Friday by MWRTA’s advisory board, the regional bus service will take over management of the 118-space parking lot from the MBTA this month.

MWRTA will reinvest a portion of the revenue it receives from parking fees to clean up the area and pay for upgrades. The transit authority plans to use the money to build new bus shelters at the lot, and also finance an expansion of the parking area, adding close to 200 spaces.

The five-year deal allows the MWRTA to enhance its presence downtown, and also relieves the MBTA of the burden of overseeing the so-called “banana lot,” which has been flagged as a problem area for littering and other public nuisances, MWRTA Administrator Ed Carr said. The property, just north of the tracks, is called the banana lot because of its shape.

"Nobody's really paying attention, in my humble opinion, where they should,” Carr said, discussing the upkeep of the lot, “and there are a lot of things that get neglected, and the T gets complaints, and they're not out here to deal with the complaints."

With more than 1,400 riders visiting the station each day, the Framingham commuter rail stop ranks as the 10th most-used station in the entire rail system, Carr said. The location is also important for the MWRTA, which schedules stops on at least half a dozen routes at the downtown train station.

Under the terms of the lease, the MWRTA will now manage nearly the entire station, including all elevators, stairs, walkways, paths and pedestrian bridges, with the exception of the train platform. Commuters will continue to pay for parking by either dialing a phone number or using a mobile phone application.

Carr said the idea of handing over management of the lot to the MWRTA was hatched a little over a year ago during a visit to Framingham by state Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack. The MBTA has brokered similar agreements with other regional transit authorities in the state. With more than 130 stations to maintain, the MBTA welcomes assistance from local partners, spokesman Joe Pesaturo wrote in an email Monday.

“This new partnership is beneficial because it relieves the MBTA of the major burden of maintaining the station and parking lots,” Pesaturo wrote. “As MWRTA is located nearby in Framingham, the expectation is that they will maintain closer oversight of issues at the station and will provide a higher level of maintenance of the facility.”

The new arrangement comes as town officials continue to focus on revitalizing Framingham’s downtown. Residents last year approved zoning changes intended to encourage new retail and residential projects within walking distance of the commuter rail station.

Carr said improving the condition of the commuter rail lot will help the town sell its vision to developers. Selectman Cheryl Tully Stoll agreed, adding that additional parking will provide an incentive for more people to take the train.

"Doing this enhances quality of life for a lot of people in Framingham,” she said, “and when you look at the transit-oriented development we're trying to do downtown ... these people are going to be taking the train, and we don't want it to be an unpleasant experience."

Jim Haddadin can be reached at 617-863-7144 or jhaddadin@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter: @JimHaddadin.