MBTA to Eliminate 'Honor Box' Payment System

By LIZ TAURASI (Patch Staff)

Come July, those “honor box” payment systems will not longer exist in MBTA parking lots.

Effective July 6, the MBTA will be eliminating the much-maligned process of folding individual dollar bills and stuffing them into tiny slots. In its place will be what they are touting as the easier, more convenient payment method -- PayByPhone -- which allows customers to pay parking fees by using any phone or any internet connected device. PayByPhone is already used by more than 75 percent of MBTA customers parking in ‘honor box’ lots throughout the transit system.

Another convenient option for customers is the monthly permit system, which includes a built-in discount, MBTA officials say. At ‘honor box’ lots where the daily parking fee is commonly $4, a $70 monthly permit can save daily parking customers up to $30 a month. In August, monthly permits will have another benefit when they become ‘universal.’ One permit will be accepted at any MBTA parking facility with the same or lower daily parking fee.

To learn more about the monthly permit, information is available at http://www.mbta.com/riding_the_t .

For customers who choose not to sign up for PayByPhone, the MBTA will mail a monthly invoice to the address listed on the vehicleowner’s registration. Customers choosing the invoice method of payment will pay 50 cents more than PayByPhone customers. If invoices remain unpaid for more than thirty days, subsequent reminder invoices and notices of non-payment will be accompanied by a fine. Similar to All Electronic Tolling used on the Tobin Bridge, this payment system is licensed plate based and eliminates the need to pay for MBTA parking using cash.

Effective Monday, July 6, PayByPhone customers can make payment over the phone at 1-866-234-7275, or using the PayByPhone app. Customers are encouraged to sign up for PayByPhone atwww.paybyphone.com.

Parking prices:

• PayByPhone customers pay $4 to $7 depending on parking lot.
• Invoice customers pay $4.50 to $7.50 depending on parking lot.
• Discounted monthly permits range in price from $70 to $90.

Invoice Schedule plus fines and penalties:

• Monthly invoice: For parking transactions within the preceding 30 day period, customers have 30 days from invoice date to make payment.
• 30 days after invoice: 2nd notice mailed - each unpaid parking transaction is assessed a $21 late fine.
• 30 days after 2nd notice: 3rd notice mailed - each parking transaction not paid as of 3rd notice date results in a hold on the vehicle owner’s driver’s license and/or vehicle registration. The hold cannot be removed until all parking fees and fines are paid. A $20 per ticket RMV fee is added at this time.
• Total late fines will be capped at $500.00 per calendar year per vehicle plus the $20 per ticket RMV fee.

Tickets issued prior to 7/6/15:

The current notice would be used for these tickets. The 1st notice is mailed after 21 days from ticket issue date, 2nd notice is mailed 21 days after the 1st notice date and 3rd is mailed when the ticket is marked at the RMV.

General information:

The PayByPhone payment structure applies to all parking facilities that used the honor box payment system. Garages and staffed parking lots are not affected.

Please visit www.mbta.com/parking with any questions.