Smile, NYC drivers, you’re on camera!
Starting Friday, December 12th, the MTA is rolling out a major expansion of its Automated Camera Enforcement (ACE) program, adding four more bus routes to the system that fines drivers for blocking or misusing bus lanes.
Motorists traveling along the Bx22, M96, M116, and Bx2 should take note: vehicles that improperly use busways, block bus stops, linger in bus lanes, or double-park will now be automatically flagged and fined.
The penalties start at $50 for a first offense and escalate sharply to $250 for repeat violations, a structure that has already proven effective — about 10% of drivers ticketed end up with multiple summonses.
These new additions bring the number of enforced routes to 54 citywide, with more than 1,400 buses now carrying ACE cameras across roughly 560 miles of bus routes.
The expansions come as good news for New Yorkers in a rush. ACE-equipped routes have seen bus speeds increase by about 5%, with some corridors improving by as much as 30%. The MTA also reports a 20% reduction in collisions, a 5%–10% drop in estimated emissions, and an impressive 40% decrease in bus stops being blocked by vehicles.
All of this translates directly into better service for the nearly 915,000 daily riders who rely on these routes. With fewer illegally parked cars in the way, buses face less congestion, move more efficiently, and keep wait times shorter.
It’s been a busy time for MTA updates. This comes alongside last week’s news that bus and subway fares will increase and buses will be enforcing “European-style” fare inspection, which involves having fare-inspectors directly on board to ensure that passengers paid their way before riding.
For drivers, the message is clear: stay out of the bus lanes unless you want a ticket. For riders, the hope is equally simple — faster buses and smoother commutes.