NYC Adds Bus Cameras to Speed Up Four Routes
MTA to install automated cameras on Q58, Bx9, Bx19, and Bx36 to ticket bus lane violators
MTA Adds Bus Lane Cameras on Four Routes
Four bus routes in Queens and the Bronx will get automated camera enforcement to ticket vehicles blocking bus lanes and stops, the MTA announced Thursday. The cameras will monitor the Q58 in Queens and the Bx9, Bx19, and Bx36 in the Bronx, though officials didn't say when the systems will become operational. The expansion aims to reduce delays and improve service reliability for thousands of daily riders.
Cameras Target Persistent Bus Delays
Vehicles blocking bus lanes and stops create ripple effects that delay service for thousands of riders, according to the transit agency. The MTA's been gradually expanding automated enforcement across the city since 2020, when state legislation authorized the camera systems. Officials said the technology helps buses maintain schedules without adding enforcement staff, though they didn't release data on how existing cameras have performed. The four routes were selected based on congestion patterns, but specific criteria weren't disclosed.
Four Routes Get New Enforcement
The Q58 runs between Queens and Corona, while the three Bronx routes serve neighborhoods where bus lane violations frequently slow service, officials said. Demetrius Crichlow, Senior Vice President of the Department of Buses at New York City Transit, said automated enforcement is 'a game-changer for bus service' that helps get customers where they need to go on time. The MTA didn't disclose how many cameras will be installed per route or the cost of the expansion. Ridership figures for the affected routes weren't provided.
Implementation Timeline Unclear
Officials announced the expansion but didn't specify when cameras will become operational on the four routes. Frank Annicaro, Senior Vice President of NYC Transit Bus Operations, said the cameras give bus operators the support they need by keeping lanes and stops clear. The agency typically notifies riders several weeks before major service changes, though whether advance notice will be provided for camera activation wasn't clear from the announcement.
Riders Face Continued Lane Blocking
Until cameras are activated, riders on the four routes will continue experiencing delays from vehicles blocking bus lanes and stops. The MTA said the expansion represents its commitment to faster, more dependable service, though it didn't provide targets for speed or reliability improvements. Officials said more details will be released before implementation. Moovit provides real-time updates and service alerts for MTA bus routes throughout Queens and the Bronx.
