Press Releases

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, November 8, 2021
Contact: (212) 839-4850, press@dot.nyc.gov

DOT Bus Lane Cameras to Begin Issuing Violations Along Merrick Boulevard

DOT now issuing violations along 30 corridors, keeping them clear for buses and reducing commute times for hundreds of thousands of daily bus riders

Issuance of violations will begin on Monday, November 22, 2021

The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) will begin issuing bus lane camera violations along on Merrick Boulevard on Monday, November 22nd. The bus lanes between Hillside Avenue and Springfield Boulevard are part of Mayor de Blasio's Better Buses initiative to improve bus speeds and expand automated camera enforcement of bus lanes, two critical ways to keep New Yorkers moving as the city continues to recover.

"Our message is clear – if you block a bus lane, not only are you slowing down the commutes of 94,000 bus riders, but you'll be getting fined as well," said DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman. "Be a good neighbor and stay out of the bus lanes!"

After conducting a review of the 24/7 Merrick Boulevard bus lane hours, DOT in September adjusted those regulations to weekdays from 6 A.M. to 7 P.M. This change was based on feedback from the project's Community Advisory Board, area elected officials and local residents. DOT informed elected officials and other stakeholders. Accordingly, bus lane cameras are active from 6 A.M. to 7 P.M Monday-Friday.

With the activation of bus lane cameras, Merrick Boulevard, with its Q4, Q5, Q84, Q85, N4 and N4X bus routes, became the 30th corridor to gain the benefits of automated enforcement.

The corridor now has signage indicating that the bus lanes are camera-enforced. To ensure that drivers were informed about the program, beginning September 21, 2021, DOT issued warnings to motorists for a period of 60 days before beginning to issue violations, per State law. Since violations are issued against the vehicle, not the driver, points are not deducted from motorists' licenses. A single violation will cost $50; under a state law passed in 2019, fines increase for bus lane violations incurred in a single year – to as much as $250 for a fifth offense.

Due to new state legislation passed in 2019, the City is now allowed to expand the bus lane camera program as needed. The program was previously limited to only 16 routes. Additional camera-enforced routes will be added over time. DOT also works with the NYPD to enforce bus lanes citywide.

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