DOT Begins Using Cameras To Enforce Bus Lanes

By: Anthony Pascale

To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

The Department of Transportation has begun using surveillance cameras to enforce the Select Bus Service lanes on First and Second Avenues.

Five cameras have been set up along the route so far.

Any unauthorized use of the bus lanes is subject to a $115 violation.

"If you're a driver, you need to stay out of those bus lanes,” said State Senator Daniel Squadron. “You can't block the bus."

State lawmakers authorized the cameras, and say the pictures don't lie.

"Those are cameras that will not just take an image of what's in front of the bus at any given second, but that will videotape so people can assess whether what's happened is an actual violation of the law,” said Assemblyman Brian Kavanaugh.

Motorists can use the lanes to make a right turn or to quickly pick up or drop off passengers. Some taxi drivers fear it'll make their jobs tougher, but they're being told not to worry.

"Don't fear the $115 summonses that you’ve heard about,” said David Pollack of the Committee for Taxi Safety. “Because as long as you pick up or drop off in an expeditious manner, you will not be summonsed, at least that's what we’re told."

Many bus riders welcome the new cameras, hoping it'll make their commute quicker.

“I think it’s great because they won't hold up my commute anymore, because when the cars are there the buses can't get out and it’s a mess,” said one bus passenger.

More cameras will be unveiled in the coming months on 34th Street in Manhattan and on Fordham Road in the Bronx.