Traffic & Transit

Worcester Parking Rates To Rise With Move Away From Meters

The cost of parking will rise by 50 cents in 2022 as Worcester eliminates parking meters.

Parking meters in the downtown Worcester area will be removed starting this week in favor of a digital payment system.
Parking meters in the downtown Worcester area will be removed starting this week in favor of a digital payment system. (Neal McNamara/Patch)

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester expects to phase out single-space parking meters by early January, a conversion that will come with a rise in parking rates.

Worcester began allowing drivers to pay-by-plate and phone in April in the Canal District, a move that matches with many of the larger communities in the state. The city will begin removing single-space parking meters this week across other paid parking areas.

The work should be complete in about two weeks ahead of a Jan. 3 parking fee increase. Hourly rates will rise from $1 to $1.50. Worcester will deploy parking ambassadors during the transition away from meters to help drivers get used to paying by app or online.

You can download the parking app on the Passport Parking website.