SFMTA to Upgrade Bus Lane Ticketing System, Expects to Raise Number of Fines by 500%

"The new project, titled Next Generation Transit Lane and Bus Stop Enforcement System, will add new innovations to the existing system, including real-time data transmission, automated license plate readers and violation detection, as well as GPS mounted on buses to automatically generate evidence packages, per KQED. Per NBC Bay Area, SFMTA expects the new system to generate a 500% increase in citations, from 20 to about 100 per day."

"SFMTA will first run it as a pilot program on two of its buses, which will be expanded to 210 additional buses if approved. The agency could also potentially deploy the system on its new fleet of around 600 New Flyer buses at a later date, upon city approval. SFMTA estimates the total cost for the initial three-year term of the project will be $15,639,776, with potential for three additional one-year terms, per KQED."

SFMTA voted to upgrade its Transit-Only Lane Enforcement program, which began in 2008 using forward-facing bus cameras. Current enforcement relies on two parking control officers who manually review footage and issue about 20 citations per day. The Next Generation Transit Lane and Bus Stop Enforcement System will add real-time data transmission, automated license plate readers, violation detection, and bus-mounted GPS to automatically generate evidence packages. SFMTA will pilot the system on two buses, potentially expand to 210 buses and later to a 600-bus fleet. The initial three-year cost is $15,639,776; a $2.5 million Caltrans grant covers installation and fines are expected to fund remaining costs, with a contractor selection planned for spring 2026.

Read at sfist.com