An Act establishing a pilot program allowing for in-person payment of daily parking fees at certain commuter rail stations operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Bill Galvin

Establishes an 18-month pilot at three MBTA parking lots with two in-person cash/credit card payment machines, no mobile needed, plus a report on outcomes and expansion.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling

Purpose and intent

Establish an 18-month pilot program to allow in-person payment of daily MBTA commuter rail parking fees without using mobile devices.

Targeted locations: Canton Junction, Canton Center, and Stoughton commuter rail stations, with the aim of evaluating whether automated, non-mobile payment options improve parking fee collection and user convenience.

See if findings support expansion of in-person payment options to additional MBTA parking lots.

Key provisions

The MBTA must create and administer an 18-month pilot program at the three specified parking lots.

Each location must have two automated payment machines installed and maintained for at least the duration of the pilot.

Machines must allow in-person payment by cash or credit card and must not require a mobile phone or any other portable electronic device to complete the transaction.

The bill requires a formal report assessing the pilot’s efficacy and potential for broader deployment.

Locations and implementation details

Locations: Canton Junction, Canton Center, and Stoughton commuter rail stations (MBTA-owned/operated parking lots).

Machines: Two automated payment machines per location, available for in-person cash or credit card payment of daily parking fees.

No reliance on mobile payments or mobile devices for the pilot.

Reporting and evaluation

MBTA must file a report on the pilot’s efficacy with:

Clerks of the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives
Chairs of the Joint Committee on Transportation (House and Senate)

Required contents:

An estimate of the percentage of parking fees collected at each location under the pilot
Recommendations on whether similar automated payment machines should be installed and maintained at other MBTA parking lots

Timing: The report must be filed no sooner than 12 months after initiation and no later than 18 months after initiation.

Timeline and status

Introduced: February 27, 2025

Legislative actions indicate progression through committee:

Referred to the Transportation committee (Feb 27, 2025)
Senate concurred (Feb 27, 2025)
Reported favorably by committee and referred to House Steering, Policy and Scheduling (November 18, 2025)
Hearing was scheduled (September 16, 2025)

Related measure: Similar matter previously filed as House Docket No. 3316 in 2023-2024.

Affected parties and potential impact

Affected: MBTA riders using the Canton Junction, Canton Center, and Stoughton commuter rail lots; MBTA operations and maintenance staff responsible for installing and maintaining the machines.

Potential impacts include improved accessibility for riders without mobile payment methods, clearer cash/credit card options for daily parking, and data on revenue capture at pilot sites to inform future expansions.

Notes: The bill authorizes an 18-month pilot with specific stations and requires a structured evaluation to determine whether broader implementation is warranted across MBTA parking facilities.

Bill