Parking could cost more in New Jersey's largest cities under a bill advanced by a state Assembly committee Thursday.

Cities with a population of 100,000 or more could begin charging a 3.5 percent tax on parking to pay for improved pedestrian access to mass transit stations under A-5070, sponsored by Assemblywoman Shanique Speight, D-Newark.

Only a handful of New Jersey municipalities meet that population threshold, according to U.S. Census data: Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, Edison and Woodbridge.

The parking tax would not apply whenever a special event parking tax is charged.

The Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee approved the bill on a vote of 8-4. All of the panel's Democrats voted in favor, and all of its Republicans voted against.

TRAFFIC PROBLEMS:George Washington Bridge ranks as worst truck bottleneck

PAYING UP:NJ Transit catches up on $182 million in payments to Amtrak

HQ2 RE-DO:Can NJ lure Amazon as it squabbles over corporate tax breaks?

The legislation would also establish a parking discount of as much as 8 percent for municipal residents. The discount would apply in the state's most populous and most densely populated cities.

Under the 1990 Americans With Disabilities Act, mass transit systems are required to make their vehicles and stations accessible to people with disabilities.

However, the pedestrian infrastructure leading to the bus stop or train station is usually the responsibility of municipalities.