New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced that four additional bus routes will now be equipped with Automated Camera Enforcement (ACE). The 60-day warning period on the Bx22, M96, M116, and Bx2 bus routes in the Bronx and Manhattan will begin on October 13. 

Vehicles improperly using busways and bus lanes, blocking bus stops, or illegally double-parked will receive warning notices in the mail for an initial period of 60 days, followed by summonses thereafter. Summonses start at $50 and escalate to $250 for repeat violators. 

ACE Expansion

The four routes are in addition to the 43 routes currently enforced. More than 1,300 buses are now ACE-equipped, covering 510 miles of roads and benefiting over 775,000 daily customers.   

Bus routes equipped with automated enforcement, on average, have seen an increase in speeds of 5%, with some corridors experiencing gains as high as 30%. These routes have also experienced a 20% reduction in collisions, with an estimated 5% to 10% reduction in emissions. 

There has also been a 40% reduction in bus stops being blocked by vehicles on ACE routes. Only 9% of drivers commit more than two bus lane violations after being fined.

ACE Implementation

The ACE program is administered in partnership with the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) and the New York City Department of Finance (NYCDOF). Once violations are captured by cameras on multiple buses, the resulting video, images, license plate information, location, and time stamp details are then securely transmitted to NYCDOT for review by City employees and processing thereafter. 

Since its launch in June 2024, ACE has rapidly expanded from a few select routes to a citywide initiative covering all five boroughs of New York City. In just over twelve months, the program has demonstrated measurable success in improving bus speeds, reducing collisions, and keeping bus stops clear, ensuring more reliable service for the daily bus customers.