NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — No more warnings! Drivers who are double parked or blocking bus stops across New York City will receive $50 or more fines beginning on Aug. 19, the MTA announced Thursday.
This new penalty expands the transit authority’s existing Automated Camera Enforcement program, which equips buses across 14 bus lanes in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens with technology that captures vehicles double parking and violating bus lane and stop rules in real-time.
Now, the lane enforcement technology on all 623 of these buses have upgraded capabilities that allows the MTA to enforce bus stops and double-parked locations.
Cameras capture video, images, license plate, location and time stamp information, send it to the NYC Department of Transportation for reviewing and processing, and violators will receive summonses in the mail for $50 on first offense. These fines scale up to $250 for repeat offenders.
Since 2019, NYCDOT has issued 438,660 notices of violations. After being fined, the MTA said only 9% of drivers commit another bus lane violation.
“We know automated enforcement changes driver behavior, with more than 80% of bus lane blockers never receiving more than one ticket,” NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said. “The warning period is over, now it’s time for faster and safer bus routes across the five boroughs.”
By the end of 2024, there will be 1,023 ACE equipped buses across 33 routes, including some in Staten Island. Corridors with active ACE camera enforcement will have signage indicating the routes are enforced.
Routes with active enforcement cameras, on average, see bus lane speeds increased by 5%, collisions decreased by 20% and 5% to 10% in reduced emissions, the MTA said. Minimizing bus lane violations will also help preserve access for New Yorkers using wheelchairs or mobility devices, as buses will be able to consistently pull up to the curb.
“Our bus network is only as effective as traffic conditions allow, which is why today’s rollout of automated camera enforcement will be a huge step forward in making our buses faster, more accessible, and greener,” Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine said. “The data shows that penalizing drivers who block bus lanes and stops is working, so expanded enforcement will be a real win for bus riders.”