LYNN — The Lynn Traffic Commission recently approved an ordinance that prohibits buses and large vans from parking on city streets.
The ordinance defines a bus or van as any vehicle designed to transport nine or more passengers, and says they cannot park on a public way in the city, except when necessary to avoid traffic or if obeying the orders of a police officer.
Those who are found in violation of the ordinance will be fined $50 for each offense. Warnings will be issued for approximately one month before fines are imposed.
Parking Director Jessica Chiappini said the department had been notified of buses blocking driveways and making streets difficult to navigate.
“This gives us enforcement authority that we did not have,” Chiappini said.
The ordinance was brought forth by Ward Councilor 1 Peter Meaney, who said an ordinance already existed that prevented commercial vehicles from parking during the hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m, but there was no ordinance that regulated them from parking on residential streets during school hours.
Meaney said he noticed and heard complaints of bus drivers bringing home buses and parking them on residential streets and blocking individuals’ driveways between dropoff and pickup hours.
“It disturbs the neighborhoods. It causes a ruckus .And there’s no positives there,” he said.
“Ultimately there’s no reason to have a commercial school bus parked on the residential streets during the day or at night,” Meaney added.
