MBTA Gets Tough On Parking Scofflaws

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is getting tough on commuters who take advantage of the transit agency's honors system parking lots.

The T has 66 lots with more than 24,000 spaces combined in which drivers are required to stuff their $3 to $5 daily parking fees into payment boards.

The trouble is the fine for nonpayment is just $1, and enforcement has been lax. Some people have 50 or more violations.

Now the MBTA is getting aggressive, putting brightly colored stickers on cars in unpaid spaces, sending stern letters and even towing cars whose owners have ignored dozens of notices.

The Boston Globe reports that the T has collected more than $22,000 in overdue parking fees since November.