Baltimore is getting serious about those red bus lanes that drivers love to “borrow” for a quick shortcut. The city is rolling out automated cameras along some of its busiest transit corridors, aiming to keep buses moving and cut down on crashes.
The Board of Estimates has approved a contract to install camera enforcement on five high-volume corridors used by both transit riders and drivers, turning existing bus lanes into closely watched territory.
According to The Baltimore Banner, the Board signed off on an $8.9 million, five-year deal with American Traffic Solutions to install and manage the technology. The Maryland General Assembly cleared the way in 2024 by passing legislation that authorizes bus lane enforcement. Transportation Director Veronica P. McBeth told the Banner the focus is on safety and reliability, not turning the lanes into a cash machine.
Where the Cameras Are Headed
The first batch of cameras is slated for five corridors flagged in a 2024 bus lane study: Baltimore Street from Hanover to Charles, Lombard Street from Calvert to Light, Pratt Street from Commerce to Gay, plus two stretches of North Avenue near Druid Hill Park…