Fines Start at $50 and Scale up to $250 for Repeat Violators
623 Buses on 14 Routes Have Automated Camera Enforcement
View Bus Camera Video of Vehicles in Violation
View Video of Event
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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced starting Monday, Aug. 19, vehicles blocking bus stops or double parking will no longer be warned as they will receive summonses in the mail starting at $50 and scaling up to $250 for repeat violators. This is in addition to existing enforcement of cars blocking bus lanes on 14 bus routes equipped with Automated Camera Enforcement (ACE) that captures vehicles violating bus lanes and bus stop rules, double parking, and bus stop rules in real-time across four boroughs with Staten Island to be added later this year,
When enforcement cameras are activated, on average, routes see bus lane speeds increased by 5%, a 20% reduction in collisions, and a 5% to 10% estimated reduction in emissions. Only 9% of drivers commit another bus lane violation after being fined. All 623 buses on the 14 routes that currently feature lane enforcement technology on bus lanes have now upgraded capability to enforce bus stops and double-parked locations.
Enforcing vehicles parked in bus stops helps ensure buses can pull to the curb, allowing all customers to safely exit and board the bus including those using wheelchairs or mobility devices and those pushing strollers or carts. ACE builds on the many accessibility improvements New York City Transit has made to its bus fleet since 1993 when it became since the first large public transit agency to have a 100% wheelchair accessible fleet.
“ACE is the key to enhancing bus service, speed and safety,” said New York City Transit Interim President Demetrius Crichlow. “Thanks to the efforts of NYC Transit workers and our partners at NYC DOT, we can improve the commutes of millions of bus riders.”
“Time is up for folks who are inconveniencing bus passengers by blocking buses and bus stops,” said New York City Transit Senior Vice President of Buses Frank Annicaro. “Now that Automated Camera Enforcement has been activated, we will hold drivers accountable for blocking bus lanes, double parking in bus paths, and blocking bus stops.”
“New Yorkers deserve buses that can keep up with the hustle and grind at the heart of this city,” said New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “We know automated enforcement changes driver behavior, with more than 80% of bus lane blockers never receiving more than one ticket. The warning period is over, now it’s time for faster and safer bus routes across the five boroughs.”
“Millions of New Yorkers depend on a safe and reliable bus operation to navigate the city,” said MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo. “With the activation of ACE today, we can all look forward to clearer bus lanes resulting in faster commutes for all riders who use our buses to get to work, school, and to reach all corners of the city.”
The ACE program is administered in partnership with the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) and the New York City Department of Finance (NYCDOF). Once captured by the cameras, video, images, license plate, location and time stamp information are then transmitted to NYCDOT for review and processing. Since 2019, NYCDOT has issued of 438,660 notices of violations. By the end of 2024, there will be 1,023 ACE equipped buses across 33 routes.
“Keeping our bus lanes and roadways clear will significantly improve bus reliability,” said State Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris. “By holding bad actors accountable, the MTA will be able to deliver the service New Yorkers need and keep our roads safer for all.”
“The ACE program brings our city a step closer to reduced emissions, cleaner air, accessible public transportation, and more reliable and frequent bus routes,” said State Senator Kristen Gonzalez. “We must keep bus lanes open for buses– I support the MTA’s activation of this critical program.”
"Our buses carry over 1 million New Yorkers each day, but it only takes one illegally parked car in a bus lane or bus stop to turn their commute into a nightmare," said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. "These cameras keep bus routes clear, so everyone gets where they're going safely and quickly, and I'm particularly glad to see them installed on the B62 in my district, which runs through Downtown Brooklyn. This is a step toward creating a transit system that works for everyone."
“I look forward to faster bus speeds and quicker commutes for riders as a result of ACE,” said State Senator Liz Krueger. “Cars illegally driving and parking in bus-only lanes contribute to gridlock, are a major inconvenience to public transit riders, and pose a safety risk as well. Strong enforcement of violations will benefit our city immensely.”
“Buses keep our city moving and riders deserve fast, efficient buses," said Assembly Member Harvey Epstein. "Cameras will keep cars out of the bus lanes and create a new method for enforcement. We expect an increase in bus speed and less pollution as a result of this change. Furthermore, activating cameras will ensure that riders are able to safely board and disembark, particularly those with mobility devices who need more room to board”
"Double parkers, you've been warned,” said Assembly Member Emily Gallagher. “More than a million New Yorkers ride the bus everyday, but their commutes are too often slowed to a crawl by illegally parked vehicles. I was proud to support expansion of the Automated Camera Enforcement program and am grateful that it’s come to the B62 line in my district. After a reasonable warning period, it's now time to put this law into full effect and get New York moving."
"The MTA's automated camera enforcement will significantly enhance bus reliability by targeting illegal parking that disrupts service,” said Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas. “This initiative will not only improve service, it ensures that buses can safely reach the curb for all passengers, including those with disabilities and strollers, but also reduces potential bias by limiting police interactions with drivers, thereby promoting a fairer and more reliable transit environment.”
“With the end of the warning period, drivers across the city must be made aware that violating bus lane rules, double parking, and blocking bus stops will result in violations with fines,” said New York City Council Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers. “Through Automated Camera Enforcement technology, I am hopeful that this program will result in faster bus lane speeds, safer streets, and fewer repeat offenses. Bus lanes are important to speeding up commutes and travel times for mass transit riders, and we urge motorists to follow the rules to avoid illegally blocking bus lanes or stops to ensure buses can move quickly. As Chair of the City Council’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I am committed to monitoring the impacts of this program to ensure it is equitably and properly enforced."
“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,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “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.”
“Bus riders deserve to get where they’re going efficiently, safely, and as quickly as possible,” said Lisa Daglian, Executive Director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC). “Activating ACE and moving from warnings to fines will help speed the way for riders along the 14 enabled routes. Drivers who leave their cars and trucks double parked and vehicles blocking bus lanes and bus stops slow travel to a crawl and make it dangerous to get on- and off-board. They’re far less likely to do it again and again when the summonses roll in. With congestion pricing paused and our buses the slowest in America, the message is more important than ever: If you're not a bus, stay out of the bus lane — and bus stop — and don't double park, or you will be found, and fined!”
“Automated Camera Enforcement is a critical step forward in making our bus system more reliable, accessible, and efficient," said Renae Reynolds, Executive Director at Tri-State Transportation Campaign. "By holding drivers accountable for blocking buses, this program can significantly improve bus speeds and enhance service for all riders. The expanded ACE program reflects a strong commitment to ensuring that public transit remains a safe and dependable option for all New Yorkers."
"Automated camera enforcement shows bus riders the respect we deserve," said Riders Alliance Senior Organizer Jolyse Race. "Drivers who double park and block bus stops rob riders of countless hours, especially in Manhattan, home to the city's slowest buses. Slow bus service wastes $300 million dollars each year, raising the cost of living in New York City, which bus riders struggle to afford."
Each corridor with active ACE camera enforcement has signage indicating that those routes are camera-enforced.