Brookline gets smart, changes arrive at meters near Fenway Park

Parking is a delicate subject, one that our elected officials like to ignore because changes usually result in anger, as few people are rational when it comes to discussing meters. Last year, Brookline commissioned a parking study and are actually going through with the suggestions. New hours, new prices and new meters come into effect on April 1st, 2011.

The problem:
Red Sox fans.

Under the current system, a red sox fan, driving to the stadium has a choice. Pay $30 to stick their car in a lot right by the stadium, and deal with the traffic to arrive and leave.... or pay $1.50 to park in Brookline and not deal with traffic.

The choice is obvious.

Fans arrive at 4pm, insert two hours worth of money in the meter ($1.50) and are free to stay as long as they want (well, not overnight).

Meanwhile, those wanting the spaces to hit the restaurants or supermarkets are out of luck. Those cars wont be moving for four or five hours.

Remember, the parking meter was invented to create turnover. 2 hour limits mean the spaces are for customers and not space-hogs.

The solution:
Make meters near the stadium be in effect until 10pm. This requires stadium goers to have to pay for their full visit.

Meters along the street, near the stadium will still enforce a 2 hour limit, keeping them free of baseball fans. Prices stay at 75 cents an hour.

Meters along the C-line will have a 4 hour limit, perfect for those staying for a game....as long as they pay a market-rate price. The first two hours cost 75 cents each, and then each additional hour goes up to $10.

So now the choice is simple. Pay $30 at a lot, or pay $21.50 on a Brookline street. Brookline stops leaving money on the table, spots clear up for local merchants, and everybody wins (stadiums fans still have a cheaper option available to them).

A map of the changes is available here:
http://www.wickedlocal.com/brookline/news/x1992230...

Let's hope Boston quickly follows suit. Anyone who has tried to park near Kenmore square on game days knows the same problems exist. There are zero spots available after 4pm.