MTA announces updated fine structure for bus lane violation with bus-mounted camera technology

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City (NYC) Transit announced it will start capturing bus lane violations with an automated bus-mounted camera system; fines associated with these violations will be subject to a new graduated fee structure starting at $50 up to $250 for repeat bus blockers.  

Cameras mounted on buses serving the M15 Select Bus Service route will begin capturing real-time violations starting October 7.  

NYC Transit is using an Automated Bus Lane Enforcement (ABLE) system on 51 buses that travel on the M15 SBS route using a dedicated bus lane implemented by the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT). ABLE camera systems can capture evidence such as license plate information, photos and videos, as well location and timestamp information, of vehicles obstructing bus lanes to document clear cases of bus lane violation. The system collects multiple pieces of evidence to ensure that vehicles making permitted turns from bus lanes are not ticketed. This information will be transmitted to NYC DOT for review and processing, and the program will be administered in partnership with NYC DOT and the NYC Department of Finance. 

“A graduated fine structure shows how serious we are about keeping bus lanes clear as we strive to improve service for customers and speed up everyone’s rides,” said Craig Cipriano, acting MTA Bus Company president and senior vice president for buses of NYC Transit. “The message will be crystal clear: If you’re a repeat bus blocker, you will be penalized accordingly.” 

Motorists who block bus lanes during the initial 60-day grace period are issued a warning, which does not carry a fine. After the grace period ends, motorists who continue to block bus lanes will be subject to a fine of $50 for the first violation, and for additional violations within a 12-month period: $100 for a second offense, $150 for a third offense, $200 for a fourth offense; and $250 for a fifth violation and each subsequent offense thereafter within a 12-month period. Each violation also carries a $25 late fee. 

The automated bus lane enforcement program will expand to the B44 SBS and M14 SBS by the end of November, with the ABLE system to be deployed on a total of 123 buses across the three routes. The proposed 2020-2024 Capital Plan includes $85 million for further expansion of the program.   

NYC Transit is working with NYC DOT and the New York Police Department to increase bus lane enforcement in highly congested areas as part of NYC Transit’s Fast Forward plan to improve bus service, increase bus speeds and attract new ridership. Results so far have yielded faster bus speeds by as much as 19 percent on a portion of Fifth Avenue and as much as 30 percent near the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel’s Manhattan approach. Other strategies include redesigning every borough’s bus network to better meet customer needs, installing traffic signal priority technology, implementing more transit priority street designs, and deploying new modern buses with better reliability and customer amenities.