New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced the activation of Automated Camera Enforcement (ACE) on 14 bus routes across Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx.

Formerly known as Automated Bus Lane Enforcement (ABLE), the ACE program captures vehicles violating bus lane, double parking, and bus stop rules in real-time.

MTA’s ACE Program

The ACE program expands on ABLE cameras, now issuing violations for vehicles double parked or illegally parked at bus stops in addition to bus lane violations.

When enforcement cameras are activated, on average, routes see bus lane speeds increased by 5%, a 20% reduction in collisions, and a 5% to 10% estimated reduction in emissions. Only 9% of drivers commit another bus lane violation after being fined.

All 623 buses on the 14 routes that are currently enabled with lane enforcement technology have now been updated with state-of-the-art artificial intelligence-based enforcement technology, which will allow for expanded enforcement at bus stops and double-parked locations.

Enforcing vehicles parked in bus stops helps ensure buses can pull to the curb, allowing all customers to safely exit and board the bus including those using wheelchairs or mobility devices, and those pushing strollers or carts.

ACE builds on the many accessibility improvements New York City Transit has made to its bus fleet since becoming the first large public transit agency to have a 100% wheelchair accessible fleet in 1993.

“ACE is key to getting buses running faster and safer for the riders who rely on them to get where they need to go,” said New York City Transit Interim President Demetrius Crichlow. “I’m grateful for the dedicated efforts from our partners at the New York City DOT to work with us to get this done.”

How the Program Works

The ACE program is administered in partnership with the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) and the New York City Department of Finance (DOF).

Once captured by the cameras, license plate, location, and time stamp information is then transmitted to NYCDOT for review and processing. Since 2019, NYCDOT has issued of 438,660 notices of violations. By the end of 2024, there will be 1,023 ACE-equipped buses across 33 routes.

Upon ACE implementation, NYCDOT will issue warning notices to drivers for the first 60 days, in accordance with state law, before issuance of double parking and bus stop fines commence.

For routes with existing ABLE camera enforcement, the 60-day warning period will apply to bus stop and double-parking violations only. Tickets will continue to be issued for bus lane violations during this time.

Each corridor with active ACE camera enforcement also has signage indicating that these routes are camera enforced and the hours of enforcement.