Bus lane camera legislation was signed into law by Governor Paterson on June 22, 2010 as part of a larger budget bill (A9709/S6609). The legislation allows for the City to keep cars out of bus lanes so that buses can operate more efficiently. It also mandates signage that states bus lane cameras are in use. Signs will be posted along these routes and will help deter motorists from using the lanes.
The City of New York and MTA will install bus lane cameras along the following bus routes:
- Fordham Road in the Bronx
- 1st and 2nd Avenues and 34th Street in Manhattan
- Nostrand and Rogers Avenues in Brooklyn
- Hylan Boulevard in Staten Island
- One route in Queens with a maximum length of 10 miles, to be determined.
The cameras are limited to Select Bus Service lanes. Select Bus Service routes will also speed bus traffic with a combination of upgraded signage, enhanced road markings, minimum bus stop spacing, off-board fare payment and traffic signal priority.
Bus Lane Camera Fast Facts
- The Bus Lane Camera law goes into effect on September 20, 2010.
- Cameras may be stationary on street poles or mobile on buses.
- Cameras may be in effect from 7 am to 7 pm, Monday through Friday.
- Bus Lane Camera violations have a maximum penalty of $150 and are like parking tickets (no points).
Reporting
The legislation requires the City and MTA to report on bus lane cameras every two years, starting on April 1, 2012. The reporting requirements include:
- A description of the locations and bus routes where bus lane cameras were used
- The total number of violations recorded on a monthly and annual basis
- The total number of notices of liability issued
- The number of fines and total amount of fines paid after the first notice of liability
- The number of violations adjudicated and results of such adjudications including the breakdowns of dispositions made
- The total amount of revenue realized by the City and MTA
- The quality of the adjudication process and its results
- The total number of cameras by type of camera
- The total cost to the city and the total cost to any participating mass transit agency
- A detailed report on the bus speeds, reliability, and ridership before and after implementation of the bus rapid transit program for each bus route, including current statistics.
