Creates a demonstration project for bus lane enforcement cameras in certain cities

BILL NUMBER:A417

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to a demonstration program relating to the installation of roadside and bus mounted bus lane and bus stop enforcement cameras; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

Purpose or general idea of bill

This proposal would amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) to permit a municipality of over a million people and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to automatically monitor violations of bus lanes and bus stops through a bus lane and stop enforcement camera program.

Summary of specific provisions

This bill amends the vehicle and traffic law to add a new section 223-a to permit any municipality of a million or more people to adopt a local law establishing a program to automat- ically monitor violations of bus stops and bus lanes (a bus stop and lane enforcement camera program) within such municipality using roadside or bus mounted cameras.

Justification

In New York City, motorists illegally parking in bus stops and occupying designated bus lanes, create significant safety dangers for bus passengers boarding and disembarking buses. Addi- tionally, these motorists delay bus service and are a significant reason that bus service in New York City is the slowest in the United States. Bus stop and bus lane enforcement cameras have been shown to reduce the number of vehicles illegally blocking bus lanes and bus stops and speed bus service. Since installing bus mounted and roadside bus lane and bus stop enforcement cameras, London, England has substantially improved the speed and reliability of bus service.

Prior legislative history

2008: A.8038 (Kavanagh) - Transportation 2007: A.8038 (Kavanagh) - Transportation 2007: A.2914 (Grannis) - Transportation 2006: A.1832 (Grannis) - Transportation 2005: A.1832 (Grannis) - Transportation 2004: A.11081 (Grannis) - Transportation

Fiscal implications

It is expected that enforcement of bus lane and bus stop violations as allowed by this section may increase municipal reven- ues in excess of the costs of administering the program.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become law and shall expire and be deemed repealed three years after such effective date; provided that any rules or regulations necessary for the timely implementation of this act are authorized to be made on or before such effective date.