Automated ticketing of drivers blocking MTA bus stops begins this week

Drivers who block bus stops will soon be ticketed under a new program using cameras mounted on the front of MTA buses, transportation officials announced Monday.

The initiative expands an existing pilot program that used cameras on 600 MTA buses to automatically restrain drivers who illegally block bus lanes on 14 routes. Now the technology will be updated to allow ticket drivers to block any bus stop, not just those with bus lanes.

More than 1,000 buses in total on 32 routes will be equipped with cameras by the end of the year, according to the MTA. Over the next 60 days, drivers caught parking or double-parking at bus stops will receive warnings, transit officials said at a news conference in Washington Heights.

The fine for a first offense is $50, officials say. If a driver is stopped five or more times in 12 months, the fine increases to $250.

“Don’t block our buses,” said Frank Annicaro, senior vice president of New York City Transit. “Stay out of our bus lanes, stay out of our bus stops and don’t double park illegally.”

The MTA did not specify which routes would be included in the initial rollout, but said the existing program improved bus line speeds by 5%.

“I often say our goal is not just to move equipment or trains or buses, it’s really about moving people,” said Demetrius Crichlow, interim president of NYC Transit. “And that’s one of the ways we can do better than what we’re doing now.” »

The $141 million automated ticketing program, known as ACE, is unaffected by uncertainty over the MTA’s budget due to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s pause on congestion pricing at Manhattan, Crichlow said.

Bus speeds in New York are among the slowest in the country, according to the state comptroller. And the MTA said traffic congestion in the city has returned to pre-pandemic levels.