Bus-mounted cameras will now report double parking and bus stop violations

By the Hamodia team

NEW YORK — Cameras installed in buses, which were previously used only for ticketing cars parked in bus lanes, will now also be used for ticketing vehicles double-parked or parked in bus stops, it was announced on Monday the MTA.

There are 14 bus lines across the city whose buses are currently equipped with cameras: B44 SBS, B46 SBS, Bx12 SBS, Bx19, B62, Bx41 SBS, Bx36, M14 SBS, M15 SBS, M23 SBS, M34 SBS, Q44 SBS, Q54, Q58. By the end of 2024, the program will be expanded to 33 routes.

Previously, the cameras were only used for ticketing purposes for vehicles in bus lanes, as part of the MTA’s Automated Bus Lane Enforcement (ABLE) program. But at a press conference Monday, MTA and DOT officials announced that the new camera program, called Automated Camera Enforcement (ACE), will also be used to ticket vehicles double parked or parked at bus stops .

“New Yorkers deserve buses that can keep up with the hustle and bustle that makes New York City great,” said Ydanis Rodríguez, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation. “We know that automated enforcement changes driver behavior, with more than 80% of bus lane blockers never receiving more than one ticket. This expanded authority will pave the way for faster, safer and more reliable bus routes across all five boroughs, reducing congestion and supporting our economy.

Once captured by the cameras, the license plate, location and timestamp information is transmitted to the DOT for review and processing. Since 2019, the DOT has issued 438,660 notices of violations.

While transportation officials and advocates celebrated the announcement at Monday’s press conference, not all New Yorkers were happy. Motorists are talking about bus lanes making it more difficult to drive and park on city streets.

“This is just another step the city has taken in its war on motorists,” said Nesanel, a Brooklyn driver. Hamodia. “With congestion pricing, open streets, and cutting busy street lanes in half for buses, the city continues to penalize drivers. »

For the first 60 days after the ACE program is implemented, drivers caught on video double parking or parking at bus stops will be warned and not fined. For routes with an ABLE camera, the 60-day warning period will only apply to bus stop and double-parking violations, and fines will continue to be issued for traffic lane violations. bus during this period.

Bus routes with active ACE camera surveillance have signs indicating that the route is camera monitored and the hours of enforcement.