LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – The Los Angeles Department of Transportation, with an assist from Metro will be issuing nearly $300 tickets for vehicles parked along two of its bus-only lanes beginning tomorrow.
The two agencies announced the new enforcement action in a pilot program last year on bus lines 212, which serves La Brea Avenue, and 720, which serves Wilshire Boulevard.
From December through January, offenders parked in those bus-only lanes were mailed notices saying future violations would involve a citation of $293.
The impetus behind the new parking law is to reduce delays for passengers on those Metro bus lines, according to the two agencies.
“Without enforcement, a single parked car in a bus lane can delay dozens or even hundreds of riders,” Los Angeles County Board Supervisor and Metro Board of Directors Chair Janice Hahn said in a statement. “This is not just about issuing tickets, it’s about making sure our Metro buses run on a schedule get our riders to their destinations on time.”
Buses along lines 212 and 720 had two cameras installed behind their windshields, one of which monitors vehicles on roads and in traffic lanes. When the camera detects vehicles parked in the bus-only lanes, the second camera snaps a photo of the offender’s license plate.
An officer with LADOT then reviews and verifies the accuracy of the video captured by the camera before issuing the pricey citation that will arrive with detailed information about the violation, time and location complete with a photo or video evidence.
“Our bus riders deserve to have a reliable, safe and on-time ride,” L.A. Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins said in a statement.
Three other lines, 910, 950 and 70, servicing Olive Street and Grand Avenue also having the cameras installed on the buses, with the 60-day warning period for those lines starting March 3.
