The MTA is watching.
In 2010, Governor David Paterson signed legislation into law that allowed camera use to issue tickets to drivers blocking the way along Select Bus Service Lanes. The cameras are mounted on the front of buses and may also be found on poles as red light cameras.
While this technology is currently only limited to parts of Manhattan, an email from a Brooklyn motorist claimed that the driver received a ticket from a bumper mounted camera while parked in the B6 and B11 bus stop at Coney Island Avenue and Avenue K on Wednesday morning.
Councilman David G. Greenfield, serving District 44, explained that his borough’s buses did not have the cameras. This technology is not being used in Brooklyn and as of now can only be found in Manhattan.
“This rumor really took on a life of its own, so I wanted to clear up any misunderstandings after hearing about it yesterday. What’s more, drivers may not park in a bus stop but can legally pick up and drop off passengers even when there is a dedicated bus lane,” said Councilman Greenfield in an interview with Matzav.com.
According to the MTA, bus lane cameras are proposed for designated areas in Queens not yet released to the public.
The program is part of an initiative known as BRT, bus rapid transit, and it is an approach designed to make riding the bus more like riding the subway in terms of speed, reliability and convenience.
The MTA says that where the cameras are in place, tickets can be issued from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. Fines range from $115 to $150.
By Ryan Lavis
