Seattle's King County Metro (KCM) has observed several instances of private vehicles taking advantage of their red bus lands or bus stops, which can lead to bus delays or dangerous collisions while wasting riders’ time and taxpayers’ money. In response, they have begun a 60-day pilot program to combat these behaviors.

Catching Violations

As part of the pilot program, KCM will not issue warnings or tickets and is using onboard cameras on two buses to assess and evaluate how often private vehicles illegally use bus lanes. The program launched on Nov. 6 with cameras mounted on a RapidRide E Line bus and a Route 7 bus to begin filming a 10-second video after identifying a violation and noting the location.

Jurisdictions ultimately have the authority to use on-bus cameras to issue tickets. Washington state passed a new law to this effect earlier in the year. Los Angeles, New York City, Oakland, and Washington, D.C. are among the metropolitan areas already utilizing active bus lane enforcement programs.

In 2025, KCM will review the results of the pilot program alongside the agency’s goals and values. The review will help determine whether to respond or pursue next steps with jurisdictions. Revenue raised from the tickets in such programs is directed to pay only for equipment and city safety projects.

Cars respecting bus lanes will improve reliability of Route 7 and RapidRide E Line service. Each route face challenges staying on schedule when private vehicles park or commit lane violations in designated bus lanes.

Busy Bus Routes

Route 7 operates 256 bus trips each weekday on Rainier Ave. with an estimated 11,000 boardings on weekdays. KCM has noted numerous private vehicles illegally using designated bus lanes along Rainier Avenue. So far in 2024 about 73% of trips have been able to operate on time, short of KCM's 80% goal.

RapidRide E Line operates 278 bus trips each weekday on Aurora Avenue North, serving riders between Shoreline and downtown Seattle. KCM has similarly noted problems with private vehicles parking in the bus lanes along this route. So far this year about 75% of trips achieved their target schedule between trips, short of KCM's 80% goal. Recent estimated weekday boardings average 13,000 and can peak closer to 15,000.

Occasional bus lane collisions have occurred on these and other routes that KCM operates. A preliminary analysis shows a total of 123 collisions occurred between private vehicles and Route 7 buses in 2023 and year-to-date in 2024.

Similarly, 120 collisions occurred between private vehicles and Rapid Ride E Line during the same time.