CITY OF BOSTON AND BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS RELEASE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR NEW PROGRAM TO MAKE SCHOOL BUS STOPS SAFER FOR KIDS

CITY OF BOSTON AND BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS RELEASE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR NEW PROGRAM TO MAKE SCHOOL BUS STOPS SAFER FOR KIDS

City, BPS seeks vendor to install stop-arm cameras to catch drivers illegally passing stopped school buses

BOSTON, MA – Thursday, October 8, 2026 – The City of Boston and Boston Public Schools announced the launch of a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking qualified providers to implement a school bus safety program. The program will use stop-arm cameras to identify drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses and support enforcement, helping protect students as they get on and off school buses. 

“Drivers who ignore safety laws and put our kids at risk must be held accountable,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “The new legislation allowing cities to use camera enforcement on school buses is a good first step, and we will continue to advocate for tools to reduce unsafe behavior.”

“Protecting students as they travel to and from school is a shared responsibility,” said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper. “When drivers fail to stop for a school bus, they put our students at serious risk. This program will provide an additional tool to deter dangerous behavior and strengthen accountability, as we continue to make improvements that keep our students and families safe.”

The selected vendor will install and operate the system, beginning with a three-month pilot on 25 buses before gradually expanding to additional buses. During the pilot, the program will collect baseline data, educate the public, and issue warning letters rather than citations. After the pilot, the program will begin issuing citations for violations, with revenue from fines used to cover program costs. 

Illegal passing of stopped school buses displaying extended stop-arms and flashing red lights poses a severe, immediate threat to child safety. Under Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L. c. 90, § 14), motorists are strictly required to stop for school buses loading or unloading children. However, manual enforcement by law enforcement officers and bus drivers is difficult and constrained by limited resources.

“I am grateful to see this RFP finally be released after years of advocacy from school parents and community members, “ said City Councilor Enrique Pepen. “My first in-community meeting after I was inaugurated was on Washington Street in Roslindale with local parents watching vehicles drive past school buses with the stop arm out. It’s about time we put in camera enforcement on the school buses to stop these acts of negligence.”

To address this urgent challenge, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts enacted state enabling legislation (An Act concerning the safety of school children embarking and disembarking school buses, M.G.L. c. 40, § 71 and c. 90, §§ 14C–14D), authorizing municipalities and school districts to deploy automated camera enforcement systems on school buses. Pursuant to this statutory authority, the City and BPS are launching this initiative to implement an advanced, automated Stop-Arm Camera Enforcement Program.

The City released the new RFP on October 5, 2026, through the City’s Procurement Department webpage. Interested and qualified parties must register through the Supplier Portal to access the RFP. 

The City will hold a virtual question-and-answer session regarding the RFP for potential bidders on October 19, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Meeting information will be posted on the City’s bid webpage. Responses to the RFP are due on October 30, 2026.

For information about this RFP, please contact Jacqueline Hayes, Deputy Director of Transportation, Boston Public Schools.

BOSTON, MA – Thursday, October 8, 2026 – The City of Boston and Boston Public Schools announced the launch of a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking qualified providers to implement a school bus safety program. The program will use stop-arm cameras to identify drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses and support enforcement, helping protect students as they get on and off school buses.  “Drivers who ignore safety laws and put our kids at risk must be held accountable,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “The new legislation allowing cities to use camera enforcement on school buses is a good first step, and we will continue to advocate for tools to reduce unsafe behavior.” “Protecting students as they travel to and from school is a shared responsibility,” said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper. “When drivers fail to stop for a school bus, they put our students at serious risk. This program will provide an additional tool to deter dangerous behavior and strengthen accountability, as we continue to make improvements that keep our students and families safe.” The selected vendor will install and operate the system, beginning with a three-month pilot on 25 buses before gradually expanding to additional buses. During the pilot, the program will collect baseline data, educate the public, and issue warning letters rather than citations. After the pilot, the program will begin issuing citations for violations, with revenue from fines used to cover program costs.  Illegal passing of stopped school buses displaying extended stop-arms and flashing red lights poses a severe, immediate threat to child safety. Under Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L. c. 90, § 14), motorists are strictly required to stop for school buses loading or unloading children. However, manual enforcement by law enforcement officers and bus drivers is difficult and constrained by limited resources. “I am grateful to see this RFP finally be released after years of advocacy from school parents and community members, “ said City Councilor Enrique Pepen. “My first in-community meeting after I was inaugurated was on Washington Street in Roslindale with local parents watching vehicles drive past school buses with the stop arm out. It’s about time we put in camera enforcement on the school buses to stop these acts of negligence.” To address this urgent challenge, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts enacted state enabling legislation (An Act concerning the safety of school children embarking and disembarking school buses, M.G.L. c. 40, § 71 and c. 90, §§ 14C–14D), authorizing municipalities and school districts to deploy automated camera enforcement systems on school buses. Pursuant to this statutory authority, the City and BPS are launching this initiative to implement an advanced, automated Stop-Arm Camera Enforcement Program. The City released the new RFP on October 5, 2026, through the City’s Procurement Department webpage. Interested and qualified parties must register through the Supplier Portal to access the RFP.  The City will hold a virtual question-and-answer session regarding the RFP for potential bidders on October 19, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Meeting information will be posted on the City’s bid webpage. Responses to the RFP are due on October 30, 2026. For information about this RFP, please contact Jacqueline Hayes, Deputy Director of Transportation, Boston Public Schools.

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About Boston Public Schools The Boston Public Schools (BPS), the birthplace of public education in the United States, serves approximately 46,000 pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students in 104 schools. BPS is committed to transforming the lives of all children through exemplary teaching in a world-class system of innovative, welcoming schools. We partner with the community, families, and students to develop in every learner the knowledge, skill, and character to excel in college, career, and life.