Congestion pricing for downtown Boston
Resident proposes electronic tolling and congestion pricing downtown to cut traffic and pollution, fund the MBTA and other projects, and possibly free garages for affordable housing.
English title and summary written with AI from the resident's text.
The resident's idea, as submitted
The idea
Install electronic toll collection equipment and implement Congestion Pricing for all of Downtown
Who it helps and why
Fewer suburbanites driving into the city = less traffic, less pollution, less noise. Toll revenue can go towards MBTA funding and other bold improvements like capping I-90. Chinatown has some of the worst air and noise pollution in the state. The people causing that pollution should be the ones paying to help fund a solution. Parking demand downtown might even drop enough that some of those parking garages could be replaced with affordable housing
Details
- Cycle
- 2024–25
- Submitted
- August 16, 2024
- Neighborhood
- City-wide
- Portal category
- Streets & Sidewalks
- How it was submitted
- Individual submission
- Submission language
- English
Themes grouped with AI from resident idea text.
The same need in other cycles
City-wide ideas in Transit & getting around from the other cycles, up to 3 from each.
2026–27 (41 matching)
- Restrooms, overhangs and benches at T stopsAdd public bathrooms at major T stops and overhangs and benches at all stops to protect commuters from rain and improve accessibility.2026–27City-wide
- Free Wi-Fi on commuter railThe resident asks for free Wi-Fi on commuter rail trains so riders can work or study during long commutes, which could also encourage public transit use.2026–27City-wide
- Covered and protected bike parkingThe resident asks the City to provide covered, secure bike parking that protects bikes from weather and theft, supporting people who bike.2026–27City-wide
2025–26 (34 matching)
- More Bluebikes stations and larger existing stationsAdd Bluebikes stations and increase capacity at overfull ones to give underserved communities low-cost, sustainable transportation.2025–26City-wide
- Short-term garage parking at meter-like ratesResident asks the City to partner with parking garages to offer short-term rates comparable to street meters, easing limited parking and encouraging social gatherings in Boston.2025–26City-wide
- Fund train and bike lanes for walkabilityResident asks for funding for train or bike lanes to make the city more walkable, citing social, health and economic benefits.2025–26City-wideSubmitted in Italian