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HD 744

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

Allows an 18-month in-person cash or credit card daily parking payments at three MBTA lots, with two machines each, plus a report on expansion.

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Bill Summary · HD 744

Summary of HD 744: An Act establishing a pilot program allowing for in-person payment of daily parking fees at certain commuter rail stations operated by the MBTA

Overview

HD 744 proposes an 18-month pilot program by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to allow in-person payment of daily parking fees at three MBTA commuter rail stations: Canton Junction, Canton Center, and Stoughton. The pilot emphasizes payments made at the parking lots by cash or credit card, without the use of a mobile phone or other portable electronic device.

What the bill would do

  • Create and administer an 18-month pilot program for in-person daily parking fee payments at specified MBTA-owned parking lots.
  • Install and maintain two automated payment machines at each of the three locations (total of six machines) for in-person payment.
  • Machines must accept cash or credit card and must operate without requiring a mobile phone or any portable electronic device.
  • The MBTA must file a report evaluating the pilot’s effectiveness and outlining whether similar machines should be installed at other MBTA parking lots.

Key provisions

  • Locations: Canton Junction, Canton Center, and Stoughton commuter rail stations.
  • Infrastructure: At least two automated payment machines at each location for the duration of the pilot (18 months).
  • Payment method: In-person payments by cash or credit card; no need for a mobile device or app.
  • Evaluation and recommendations: A comprehensive report on the pilot’s efficacy, including estimated percentage of parking fees collected at each location and recommendations regarding broader installation at other MBTA lots.
  • Reporting timeline: The report must be filed no sooner than 12 months after initiation and no later than 18 months after initiation, submitted to the clerks of the Senate and House and the chairs of the Joint Committee on Transportation.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Pilot duration: 18 months from initiation.
  • Reporting window: Between 12 and 18 months after initiation.
  • Sponsor: William C. Galvin (Canton), House Docket No. 744; previously similar matter filed in 2023-2024 (HB 3316).

Who is affected

  • Commuters using the Canton Junction, Canton Center, and Stoughton MBTA parking facilities.
  • MBTA operations personnel responsible for parking facilities and payment infrastructure.
  • Legislative stakeholders reviewing pilot results for potential expansion to additional lots.

Potential impact

  • Provides an alternative, cash- and credit-based parking payment option for daily parkers without relying on mobile technology.
  • Generates data on usage and revenue capture that could inform broader adoption of automated payment options at MBTA parking facilities.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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