Press Releases
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 27, 2021
Contact: (212) 839-4850, press@dot.nyc.gov
DOT Bus Lane Cameras to Begin Issuing Violations Along Jamaica Avenue/Archer Avenue Busways
DOT now issuing violations along 32 corridors, keeping them clear for buses and reducing commute times for hundreds of thousands of daily bus riders
Issuance of violations will begin on December 28, 2021
NEW YORK – The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) will begin issuing bus lane camera violations along the Jamaica Avenue/Archer Avenue Busways on December 28, 2021. These busways 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.
Together, the Jamaica Avenue/Archer Avenue Busways serve roughly 250,000 daily riders across 26 bus routes. They marked the most substantial transit improvement to Southeast Queens since the 1988 subway extension.
"These busways have brought historic service improvements for Queens commuters. Our message is clear – if you block a bus lane, not only are you slowing down the commutes of a quarter million 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."
With the activation of bus lane cameras, these busways became the 31st and 32nd corridors to gain the benefits of automated enforcement. Both the DOT and MTA will have automated enforcement cameras in operation to supplement NYPD enforcement.
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.
The corridor now has signage indicating that the bus lanes are camera-enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To ensure that drivers were informed about the program, the DOT began warning motorists of automated enforcement on October 29, 2021, per the 60-day warning period mandated by State law.
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.