NYC to Pilot Bus Cameras for Bike Lane Enforcement
City and MTA will soon test bus-mounted cameras to ticket drivers blocking bike lanes, a capability granted by the state in 2023.
City and MTA will soon test bus-mounted cameras to ticket drivers blocking bike lanes, a capability granted by the state in 2023.
· Updated
The city and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) are preparing to launch a pilot program using bus-mounted cameras to ticket drivers who illegally park in bike lanes. This initiative comes more than three years after state legislators granted the Department of Transportation (DOT) and MTA the authority to implement such enforcement.
The expanded use of the Automated Camera Enforcement (ACE) system, which already tickets drivers for blocking bus lanes, bus stops, and double parking, will now target bike lane obstructions. While the authority to ticket for bike lane violations has existed since 2023, enforcement has not yet begun.
MTA spokesperson Eugene Resnick stated that the agency has tested the hardware and is looking forward to advancing a public pilot with the DOT. The MTA is responsible for camera installation on buses, and the DOT reviews the footage to process tickets, requiring a driver to block a bike lane for a continuous five-minute period.
The DOT recently completed an internal test of the system and plans to roll out a public pilot soon. Advocates have welcomed the news but are calling for a clear timeline and urging the state to expand automated enforcement to cover parking violations.
FAQ
When will the bus-mounted cameras start ticketing bike lane blockers?
The city and MTA plan to begin a public pilot program for bus-mounted camera enforcement of bike lane blockers as soon as possible, following successful internal testing.
What other violations can the ACE cameras currently ticket?
The ACE cameras can currently ticket drivers for blocking bus lanes, blocking bus stops, and double parking on bus routes.
