Get Ready for New Bus Lane Fines

| 09 Jan 2017 | 06:11

Camera enforcement of bus lane violations began this week along the 23rd Street corridor. Photo: Michael Garofalo

With the introduction this week of fines for illegal use of newly installed bus lanes on 23rd Street, city officials hope to speed the corridor's Select Bus Service. Photo: Michael Garofalo

The DOT starts issuing violations to offenders along the M23 route

By Michael Garofalo

Beginning this week, any driver making illegal use of 23rd Street’s bus lanes can expect an unwelcome surprise in the mail, courtesy of the Department of Transportation.

On Monday, DOT began issuing automated violations to bus lane offenders along the M23 Select Bus Service crosstown route, using traffic cameras positioned along 23rd Street. The corridor is the 10th New York City bus route now monitored for lane violations by DOT cameras.

The 23rd Street bus lanes are reserved for buses and emergency vehicles on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., except for drivers making permitted right turns and picking up or dropping off passengers.

Bus lane violators face fines ranging from $115 to $150, but are not subject to points on their licenses, since camera violations are issued against the vehicle rather than the driver.

Bus lane cameras generated $17 million in revenue for the city in 2015, according to a report by the city comptroller’s office last year, which noted that the figure is expected to grow in coming years as cameras are installed along additional routes.

DOT also employs automated camera enforcement of bus lane violations along the First and Second Avenue M15 SBS corridor, the M34 SBS route on 34th Street and the M60 SBS route on 125th Street. DOT plans to further expand the program, which is authorized by the State to include 16 bus routes in total.