The MTA is expanding its automated camera enforcement of bus stops and double parking to 20 more bus routes across the five boroughs this month.
The rollout is happening in two phases, with 10 routes being added to the program at a time. Starting Monday, vehicles blocking bus stops or illegally double parked on 10 new routes will receive warning notices for a 60-day period. After that, violators will receive summonses starting at $50, with fines increasing to $250 for repeat offenders. Ten more routes will be added two weeks later on Monday, Sept. 30.
By the end of September, the MTA said 1,000 buses will be equipped with the technology.
It’s part of the MTA’s efforts to clear up bus routes and speed up bus service. Fourteen bus routes are already equipped with the technology, which captures license plates along with location and time. The information is then sent to the Department of Transportation for processing.
According to the MTA, when enforcement cameras are activated, bus lane speeds increase by 5%, while collisions decrease by 20%. Emissions are also reduced by 5 to 10%. Additionally, only 9% of drivers commit a second bus lane violation after their initial fine, the MTA said.