NYC Buses Get Faster With New Camera Enforcement

MTA begins $50-$250 fines for blocking bus lanes on three routes after 13-month warning period

MTA Adds Camera Fines on 3 NYC Bus Routes

Three busy NYC bus routes will see automated camera enforcement starting Saturday, affecting 75,000 daily riders who've dealt with blocked lanes slowing their commutes. The MTA's launching fines July 26 on the M15 Select Bus Service in Manhattan, B44 SBS in Brooklyn, and Bx12 SBS in the Bronx, according to Janno Lieber, MTA Chair and CEO. Drivers who block bus lanes or stops will face $50 fines for first offenses, escalating to $250 for repeat violations within 12 months.

13-Month Warning Period Ends

The three routes have operated with warning-only cameras since June 2024, giving drivers over a year to adjust their behavior before fines began. The enforcement stems from a 2019 state law authorizing automated bus lane monitoring, though implementation took six years. Previous MTA pilot programs with similar enforcement showed speed improvements up to 20% on routes with clear lanes, officials said. The 123 cameras deployed across the three routes captured violations during the warning period, though the MTA hasn't released data on how many warnings were issued.

Escalating Fine Structure Targets Repeat Offenders

First-time violators will receive $50 fines, while second offenses within 12 months jump to $100. Third and subsequent violations within a year carry $250 penalties. The cameras monitor both illegal parking in bus lanes and unauthorized driving in dedicated transit corridors. Demetrius Crichlow, Senior Vice President of Buses at New York City Transit, said automated enforcement is critical for reliable service. The MTA hasn't disclosed the system's implementation cost or projected annual revenue from fines.

Expansion Plans Remain Unclear

The MTA indicated it plans to expand automated enforcement to additional bus routes but hasn't announced a specific timeline. San Francisco and Washington, DC, implemented similar programs in 2016 and 2018, respectively, reporting improved bus speeds and reduced violations. Betsy Plum, Executive Director of Riders Alliance, told reporters bus riders have waited years for this enforcement to begin. The three routes serve some of NYC's busiest transit corridors, with the B44 SBS alone carrying 30,000 daily riders.

What Riders Need to Know

Passengers on the M15, B44, and Bx12 routes should see faster, more reliable service as enforcement deters lane blocking. The cameras operate continuously, capturing license plates of vehicles violating bus lane rules. Fines will be mailed to registered vehicle owners. Riders can track real-time bus locations and receive service alerts through Moovit, which provides updates for all MTA bus routes across the New York metro area.