The Menino administration proposed a hike in parking fines yesterday across most of the city, a move officials say could generate an additional $600,000 in annual revenue and could deter people from impeding traffic flow.
Transportation Commissioner Thomas J. Tinlin testified before the City Council’s Committee on Government Operations that current parking fines have been ineffective in reducing the number of parking violations over the past few years.
The proposal would increase parking fines from $15 to $25 in what the Transportation Department calls Zone B, which includes Dorchester, Roxbury, East Boston, South Boston, the Fenway, Mattapan, Roslindale, and Hyde Park.
“Fifteen dollars is not sending the right message,’’ said Tinlin. “We are hoping that these increases will send a message and change driver behavior.’’
In 2009 alone, the city issued 23,000 no-parking tickets and 79,000 tickets for overstaying time limits in Zone B, Tinlin said.
Parking fines in Zone A — which includes downtown, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, the South End, and Charlestown — will remain at $55 for no-parking zones and $25 for parking spaces with time limits. Read more
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