NYC Expands Bus Lane Cameras to Speed Transit

NYC activates automated cameras on four bus routes with $50 fines for lane violations

NYC Adds Bus Lane Cameras on Four Routes

Drivers who block buses on four Queens and Bronx routes now face automated fines starting at $50. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority activated Automated Camera Enforcement on the Q6, Bx20, Bx3, and Bx7 routes Friday, November 14, transit officials said. Cameras catch motorists who drive in bus lanes, block bus stops, or double-park illegally near buses.

Expansion of Ongoing Enforcement Program

The activation represents an expansion of New York City's automated bus lane enforcement program that began in 2019, according to the NYC Department of Transportation. The city and MTA have progressively added camera enforcement across multiple boroughs over the past five years as part of efforts to improve bus speeds and reliability. Officials said the cameras target three main violation types that slow bus service. The agencies didn't specify how many cameras were installed on the four routes or when the expansion was first announced to the public.

Fines Start at $50 for Three Violation Types

Motorists receive $50 summonses for improperly using bus lanes or busways, blocking bus stops, or illegally double-parking along the four routes, transit officials said. The enforcement covers violations that directly interfere with bus operations and cause delays for riders. Officials said the goal is to reduce traffic violations that slow buses and make service less reliable. Specific data on current bus speeds or violation rates on these routes wasn't available by publication time.

Enforcement Active as of Mid-November

The camera enforcement went live Friday, November 14, with fines issued immediately for violations, according to transit officials. Whether the routes had a warning period before fines began wasn't specified by the agencies. Richard Davey serves as president of New York City Transit, while Demetrius Crichlow oversees bus operations as senior vice president of the Department of Buses.

Impact on Bus Riders and Drivers

The enforcement aims to improve bus service reliability for thousands of daily riders on the four routes by deterring violations that cause delays. Drivers traveling near the Q6, Bx20, Bx3, and Bx7 routes should avoid bus lanes except when making turns, stay clear of bus stops, and avoid double-parking. Moovit provides real-time updates for MTA bus routes, helping riders track buses and plan trips across the city's transit network.