New sensor program clears illegal parking at bus stops in Somerville and Lynn just before MBTA steps up enforcement

Quick rollout in Somerville and Lynn set up ahead of MBTA enforcement

In mid-December, a private operator called MPS moved into two Massachusetts cities with one clear goal: stop cars from parking where they block buses. The company ran short pilots in Somerville and Lynn that began a few weeks before the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) said it would tighten enforcement at bus stops and dedicated bus lanes. City officials and MPS say the work was meant to reduce illegal parking fast, get buses moving more smoothly and give the MBTA cleaner curb space to enforce once its own effort starts.

How MPS deployed hardware, software and patrols at busy curblines

MPS combined a few simple pieces to make a live deterrent. Teams installed pole-mounted cameras and short-range sensors at targeted bus stops and bus-only lanes. The cameras feed into software that flags cars stopping illegally or lingering in a lane, and the system can log a photo, time and location.

On the operations side, MPS used a mix of automated alerts and on-the-ground staff. When the system detected a violation, it sent a message to local monitors who could dispatch an attendant or notify city parking enforcement. In places where the city partnered formally with MPS, those attendants were able to issue warnings or request a conventional citation from municipal officers. The pilot focused on high-traffic corridors where blocking a stop causes delays and safety problems for riders.

What the pilots actually changed: trends, wins and data limits

City officials reported clear, if early, improvements. Both Somerville and Lynn said the cameras and patrols cut the number of clear blockages at the pilot stops and lanes compared with the weeks before the program. The teams logged hundreds of detection events over the pilot window; dozens of those led to warnings or formal citations. Officials also pointed to shorter bus dwell times at several targeted stops, saying buses spent noticeably less time fighting for curb space.

Those results are encouraging but not airtight. The pilots ran for a limited time, and activity naturally varies by day and season. A spike in enforcement attention can deter bad behavior while it’s visible, and the effect can fade if monitoring drops off. The data pooled from the two cities does not yet include a long-term before-and-after comparison across many stops, and it doesn’t fully separate the role of attendants from the deterrent effect of visible cameras. City spokespeople say they plan to keep collecting data as enforcement continues, which will give a clearer picture of lasting benefits.

Why this matters now: MBTA enforcement is ramping up

The timing matters. The MBTA has signalled an increase in enforcement aimed at keeping buses moving and protecting transit-only lanes. That agency-level push is broader in scope than the city pilots, and it targets critical corridors across the system. The Somerville and Lynn pilots act as a local test bed: they clear the obvious offenders and create an operational rhythm local authorities can feed into MBTA plans. Where the pilot and MBTA efforts overlap, city officials say they are coordinating on data sharing and on how citations get issued and recorded.

What commuters and residents are feeling on the ground

For riders, the change is straightforward: fewer cars blocking the curb means quicker pickups and safer boarding. Bus drivers reported less jockeying for space at the busiest stops, which also makes wheelchair access and stroller boarding smoother. Some residents welcomed the cleaner sidewalks and the idea of more reliable buses.

Not everyone is fully happy. A few drivers complained about faster ticketing and said the cameras felt intrusive. Community groups pressed city staff to make sure enforcement is fair, arguing that warnings and clear signage should come first and that enforcement shouldn’t disproportionately hit people from low-income neighborhoods. City leaders say the pilots included outreach and warning periods, and that future programs will consider equity in how and where enforcement is applied.

What this means for MPS, the cities and next steps

For MPS, these pilots are a visible proof point: they show the firm can stand up cameras, software and staff quickly and produce measurable results. That can help MPS win larger municipal contracts if cities and the MBTA want to scale similar programs. The main risks are familiar in this space: privacy concerns, legal questions about automated evidence, and the challenge of keeping enforcement consistent over time so gains don’t evaporate.

Cities are most likely to expand the work selectively — keeping cameras where they produce the biggest benefit and using warnings before citations in neighborhoods where residents need the extra time to adapt. The MBTA’s broader enforcement push will be the real test of whether the pilots’ early gains hold up across a regional network of stops and lanes.

This article is informational — not investment advice.

Sources

• prnewswire.com