Proposed 50¢ parking-space tax would fund standalone bike, pedestrian projects; MBTA would administer

On Jan. 9, 2025, the MBTA Government and Personnel Committee reviewed Senate Bill 1007, a proposal to impose a 50¢ annual tax on privately owned off‑street parking spaces in Planning District 8 to create a dedicated revenue stream for standalone bicycle and pedestrian projects.

The proposal would tax each parking space and bill the property owner or retailer, not individual parkers, and it exempts parking related to single‑family detached residences. Committee members said the bill is silent about nonprofits and hospitals and that the state bill text does not yet show co‑patrons or a revenue estimate.

Committee member said, "It's a tax. I mean, it's a it's a 50¢ tax per space," as members discussed how the charge would be assessed and who would…