The MBTA has approved new fines for drivers who block bus lanes as part of The Make Way for Buses Program, designed to keep buses moving and improve accessibility.
The new ticketing system will rely on automated enforcement cameras mounted on buses or at bus stops. The cameras will scan license plates, and then drivers will be mailed a ticket. The MBTA says all images will be reviewed by a human for accuracy before a ticket is issued.
Blocked bus stops can create safety and accessibility issues, as riders may need to board or exit in the street, and riders using mobility aids may not be able to board or exit at all, according to the MBTA.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed off on the legislation in January. The MBTA plans to start issuing the fines in early 2026.
Enforcement will start on silver line routes SL4 and SL5 in Boston. Those routes run from Nubian Square in Roxbury through the South End, and Chinatown into Downtown Boston.
The MBTA says it plans to then expand the program to more bus routes in mid-2026.
A first violation for drivers would be $25, and the fines can escalate up to $125 for a fourth violation and any other offenses within a 180 day period. Drivers would also receive a $100 fine for parking in front of a bus stop.
There will be an appeals process to dispute a ticket, according to the MBTA.
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