In Los Angeles, With help from Metro, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation will start giving tickets for almost $300 to cars that are stopped in two of its bus-only lanes tomorrow.
The new rules were announced by the two agencies last year in a test program on bus lines 212, which goes to La Brea Avenue, and 720, which goes to Wilshire Boulevard.
From December to January, people who parked in those bus-only lanes were sent letters telling them they would be fined $293 if they did it again.
The new parking law is meant to cut down on wait times for people taking those Metro bus lines, say the two organizations.
A single parked car in a bus lane can cause dozens or even hundreds of people to be late, said Janice Hahn, Chair of the Metro Board of Directors and Supervisor of the Los Angeles County Board. “This isn’t just about giving out tickets; it’s also about making sure that Metro buses run on time and get people where they need to go.”
Two cameras were put behind the windshields of buses on lines 212 and 720. One of the cameras watches cars on the road and in traffic lanes. The second camera takes a picture of the person’s license plate when it sees a car parked in the bus-only lines.
After that, a LADOT officer checks the video to make sure it’s correct before issuing the expensive ticket that includes full details about the violation, including the time and place of the incident, as well as a picture or video proof.
In a statement, L.A. Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins said, “Our bus riders deserve a safe, reliable, and on-time ride.”
The buses on lines 910, 950, and 70, which serve Olive Street and Grand Avenue, also have cameras on them. The 60-day warning time for those lines begins March 3.
Los Angeles to start issuing nearly $300 tickets for this parking violation.
