NEW YORK — Governor Kathy Hochul announced Thursday that significant progress has been made in expanding automated bus lane enforcement cameras on New York City bus routes.
ABLE cameras capture drivers violating bus lane rules in real time and aim to deter drivers from blocking these lanes to improve bus service and reduce accidents.
As part of the FY 2024 budget, the governor successfully expanded the ABLE program to include more traffic violations and protect New Yorkers.
On Monday, September 25, ABLE cameras will be activated on the B26 bus route serving Brooklyn and Queens riders, marking the 20th activation of ABLE cameras across the city’s bus system and the fourth this year . The average number of daily passengers on the B26 is 8,700, and the route was carrying 1.7 million passengers by the end of 2022, an increase of 12 percent from 2021.
“Millions of New Yorkers depend on our buses every day and deserve to ride in bus lanes that are safe and efficient,” said Governor Hochul. “ABLE’s continued expansion will protect riders and allow New Yorkers to enjoy faster, more reliable service.”
Since the implementation of ABLE along several bus routes in Brooklyn, average bus speeds in the borough have seen increases of about five percent, and bus collisions have decreased by nearly 20 percent, as that most drivers who receive a warning or ticket are unlikely to become repeat offenders.
According to previously collected data, of all drivers who have received at least one ABLE violation, only 8 percent have received 3 or more. This is indicative of the effectiveness of ABLE cameras in influencing driver behavior. Citywide, ABLE cameras have caused more than 313,000 tickets to be issued to motorists through the end of August.
With the activation of this route, the MTA will have 585 buses equipped with ABLE cameras on 20 routes in the five boroughs of New York City. Locations were determined to maximize the length of covered bus lanes, balance distribution between counties, address some newer bus lanes, and incorporate input from the MTA and the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) on known places with problems.
Following the implementation of ABLE cameras on B26, NYCDOT will issue warning notices to drivers for the first 60 days, in accordance with New York State law, to ensure drivers are informed about the program before it is imposed. fines. Each bus lane corridor with ABLE camera coverage has signs indicating the hours the bus lanes are operational and alerting drivers that the lanes are monitored by cameras. Drivers who violate these rules during enforcement periods are subject to a citation, with fines starting at $50 and increasing, for repeat offenders, up to $250.
ABLE camera systems capture license plate, photo and video information, along with location and timestamp information. This information is then transmitted to NYCDOT for review and processing. The program is administered in partnership with NYCDOT and the New York City Department of Finance.
“As our network of ABLE cameras continues to expand, bus customers benefit from faster, more reliable and safer service,” said New York City Public Transportation President Richard Davey. “Adding ABLE cameras to the B26 will keep residents of Central Brooklyn, Bed-Stuy, Bushwick and Ridgewood moving and keep motorists out of the bus lane.”
2023-09-22 03:30:37
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