The number of bus-only lane camera enforcement routes in New York City is being significantly expanded.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced on the 16th that 20 bus routes will be added to the bus-only lane camera enforcement targets. The crackdown, which will be conducted using ‘ABLE cameras’ installed on operating buses, includes all vehicles that obstruct bus operation, such as illegal or double-parked vehicles at bus stops, in addition to existing bus-only lane violations such as encroaching on bus-only lanes, parking, and obstructing bus stop entry.
According to the MTA, the bus routes newly subject to camera enforcement starting on the 16th are Bx35, M101, Q43, B35, S46, B41, B42, S79-SBS, Bx28, and Bx38. Starting on the 30th, 10 bus routes will be subject to crackdowns, including B82 SBS, Q53 SBS, M86 SBS, M79 SBS, M60 SBS, B25, Q5, Q69, Bx6 SBS, and B26.
Each route issues warnings to violators for the first 60 days after the enforcement begins, but actual fines are issued after the grace period ends.
The MTA cautioned, “The fine is $50 for the first violation, but can be up to $250 for repeat offenders.” The MTA continued, “Securing bus priority through bus-only lanes is a very important factor in increasing bus speeds,” and “The average speed of city buses this year is 8.18 miles per hour, the slowest among major cities in the U.S. We expect this expansion of camera enforcement to further improve bus speeds.”
According to MTA research, when ‘ABLE’ camera enforcement is activated, bus speeds increase by an average of 5%.