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Program Aims to Improve Transit Efficiency, Reduce Traffic Congestion
Keeping bus lanes clear for the benefit of transit riders is essential to making transportation more equitable in Los Angeles, so the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), in partnership with the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), today announced its bus lane enforcement program will begin ticketing violators on Monday, Feb. 17.
Originally announced Nov. 1, 2024, this bus lane enforcement pilot program is rolling out on major corridors where bus lanes have been established to prioritize public transit in areas with high bus ridership and traffic congestion, including bus lines 720 servicing Wilshire Blvd. and 212 servicing LA Brea Ave.
During the initial 60-day period (December – January), motorists illegally parked in bus lanes on those lines received notices by mail warning that future violations would be subject to fines. Effective Feb. 17, violators will face a penalty starting at $293 for illegally parking in designated bus lanes, helping to ensure buses can travel without obstruction and reduce delays for passengers.
“Without enforcement, a single parked car in a bus lane can delay dozens or even hundreds of riders. So, this is not just about issuing tickets, it’s about making sure our Metro buses run on schedule and get our riders to their destinations on time,” said Metro Board Chair and LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn. This initiative is part of LA Metro’s ongoing efforts to improve safety and ensure equitable access as well as enhancing the reliability and speed of bus services, particularly along high-traffic corridors where bus lanes are critical to keeping buses on time. Blocking bus lanes has a disproportionate impact on bus riders, resulting in delays and disruptions. One vehicle can have an outsized burden on the dozens of riders on each bus, resulting in missed transfers and late arrivals. In addition, for those passengers with mobility challenges, it impacts their ability to easily enter or exit the bus.
“Every Metro bus carries someone’s mother, grandfather, or child, all of whom are trying to get to their destination, so they can spend time with those most important to them,” said Stephanie Wiggins, CEO of LA Metro. “Our bus riders deserve to have a reliable, safe, and on-time ride. That’s why we’ve partnered with LADOT to install bus lanes on Wilshire Blvd. and La Brea Blvd. – to give all our riders a better, faster, and more consistent ride – however, since they’ve been installed, service is delayed due to vehicles blocking the lanes and that’s why we’re pleased that enforcement is going to begin to prevent misuse of the bus lanes.”
The automated enforcement system captures violations through two cameras installed behind the windshields of select buses each serving a different function. One camera uses computer vision to detect vehicles on the roadway and traffic lane lines. When a bus lane violation is detected, the second camera records the license plate of the violating vehicle. Then, a traffic officer with LADOT will review the evidence and verify the accuracy of the image before issuing a ticket. Tickets will include details of the violation, including time, location, and images or video evidence.
“Every day thousands of Angelenos depend on public transit to get to their jobs, schools, healthcare, and other critical destinations” said LADOT General Manager Laura Rubio-Cornejo. “This new program will help the city realize the service reliability and efficiency benefits of its dedicated bus lanes as we continue to partner with Metro to improve bus service across our transportation system.”
As part of phase two of the program, 50 cameras are being installed on select buses on bus lines 910 and 950 that serve the J line and line 70 servicing Olive St./Grand Ave. for a total of 100 vehicles supporting the bus lane enforcement program. The 60-day warning period for those areas will begin on March 3.
This automated bus lane enforcement technology advances LA Metro’s NextGen Bus Plan by ensuring that the agency’s riders experience the benefits of new bus lanes and improve safety and transit reliability.
About Metro
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is building the most ambitious transportation infrastructure program in the United States and is working to greatly improve mobility through its Vision 2028 Plan. Metro is the lead transportation planning and funding agency for L.A. County and carries a million boardings daily on six electric rail lines and 118 bus routes utilizing more than 2,200 low-emission buses.
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