New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced that three more bus routes will now be equipped with Automated Camera Enforcement (ACE). 

The 60-day warning period on the three routes in Brooklyn and Manhattan will begin December 8. Vehicles that improperly use busways and bus lanes, block bus stops, or illegally double-park will receive warning notices by mail for an initial period of 60 days, followed by summonses thereafter. Summonses start at $50 and escalate to $250 for repeat violators. 

Impacts of Enforcement

The three new routes are in addition to the 51 routes currently enforced. More than 1,400 buses are now ACE-equipped, covering 560 miles of roads and benefiting over 915,000 daily customers. 

Bus routes equipped with automated enforcement, on average, have increased speeds by 5% with some corridors seeing gains as high as 30%, according to MTA officials. These routes have also experienced a 20% reduction in collisions and an estimated 5% to 10% reduction in emissions. 

There has also been a 40% reduction in the number of ACE bus stops blocked by vehicles. Only 12% of drivers commit more than two bus lane violations after being fined. 

MTA’s Automated Camera Enforcement

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 timestamp details are securely transmitted to NYCDOT for City employees to review and process thereafter. 

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