New York City uses advanced camera systems to enforce bus lane violations as part of its effort to keep public transportation moving and reduce traffic congestion. These systems are deployed both on MTA buses and at fixed roadside locations. If you’ve ever received a bus lane violation in the mail, here’s how the system likely caught you.
🚍 How Bus Lane Enforcement Cameras Work
Bus lane enforcement is carried out using Automated Bus Lane Enforcement (ABLE) systems. These cameras are:
- Mounted on select MTA buses
- Installed at fixed locations along bus lanes
The cameras use license plate recognition to identify vehicles illegally driving, idling, or parking in dedicated bus lanes during restricted hours. Infractions are automatically processed and result in a bus lane camera violation ticket being mailed to the vehicle's registered owner.
🛑 What Counts as a Bus Lane Violation?
You can get a ticket if you:
- Drive in a bus-only lane during posted hours (usually weekdays, 7–10 AM and 2–7 PM)
- Park or stand in a bus lane—even briefly
- Use the lane for turns but stay in it too long before turning
Exceptions exist for:
- Making the next legal right turn
- Dropping off or picking up passengers quickly
- Emergency vehicles or MTA buses
📸 Which Bus Routes Have Cameras?
NYC’s ABLE program currently operates on several high-traffic routes in all five boroughs. Some of the most heavily enforced routes include:
- B44 Select Bus Service (Brooklyn)
- Bx12 (Bronx)
- M14 SBS (Manhattan)
- Q44 SBS (Queens)
- S79 (Staten Island)
The MTA continues to expand this enforcement across more routes each year. Check their official page for the latest camera-enabled bus lines.
💵 Fines and Penalties
Bus lane tickets can range from $50 to $250 depending on the number of prior offenses within a 12-month period. You can pay online through the NYC Department of Finance or contest the ticket if you believe it was issued in error.
🔄 Can You Fight a Bus Lane Ticket?
Yes. If you believe the violation was incorrectly issued, you can dispute it online or by mail. You’ll need to provide evidence such as:
- Dashcam footage
- GPS logs
- Receipts or photos proving legal passenger drop-off
📍 Why This Matters
Bus lane enforcement helps reduce congestion and improve the speed of public transportation. According to the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT), ABLE cameras have helped speed up bus service by up to 30% on some routes. Fewer delays mean more reliable service for hundreds of thousands of daily riders.
🗺️ Map of NYC Bus Lane Enforcement Zones
Visit PhotoEnforced.com to see an interactive map of NYC bus lane cameras and other automated enforcement systems.
🔔 Stay Alert, Stay Legal
To avoid a costly ticket, always check posted signs, respect bus lanes during active hours, and stay out of the way unless you’re turning or quickly picking up a passenger. NYC’s network of bus-mounted and fixed cameras is only expanding, so awareness is key to staying violation-free.