Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
You could soon get hit with a ticket for parking in LA bus lanes or bus stops
A bus stops for passengers in Koreatown. If you aren't driving a bus and you park in a bus lane or in a bus stop, you could get hit with a hefty fine.
(
Robert Gauthier
/
Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
)
Drivers parked in bus lanes or bus stops on some L.A. streets could be hit with a $293 ticket starting Monday.
The pilot program, known as the Bus Lane Enforcement Program, is a partnership between L.A. Metro and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT).
Anthony Crump, Metro's executive officer for community relations, told LAist the goal is to boost speed and reliability for the 700,000 bus rides taken every weekday in L.A. County.
“ Ideally, we would give zero citations out,” he said. “In fact, the perfect scenario would be that everyone hears about the program and suddenly stops parking or obstructing bus lanes and bus stops throughout the area.”
Support for LAist comes from
What you need to know
The program started last November with an introductory and outreach period.
Drivers who were illegally parked in bus lanes or bus stops were given warnings, but it’ll actually cost you come next week.
“ I think there's a learning curve on both ends,” Crump said. “One, we're fine tuning the equipment itself. We're also trying to change driver behavior.”
Metro has installed 50 cameras in select buses on lines 720 and 212, which run along Wilshire Boulevard and La Brea Avenue.
One camera scans the area to look for stopped vehicles while the second camera captures the driver and license plate. An LADOT traffic officer will review the images before issuing a ticket.
Support for LAist comes from
Janice Hahn, L.A. County Supervisor and chair of the Metro Board of Directors, said in a statement that it’s not fair that a single car can hold up a busload of people.
“Those riders deserve to reach their destinations safely and on time,” she said.
The partnership between the agencies has already improved service for the thousands of people who rely on public transit, according to Laura Rubio-Cornejo, LADOT general manager.
LADOT did not immediately respond to LAist’s request for an interview.
What’s next
The program is tentatively expected to move into Phase 2 next month.
The agencies will install dozens more cameras on buses along lines 910 and 950. Those serve the Silver line and line 70, which covers all of Grand Avenue, according to Crump.
Support for LAist comes from
And he noted that Los Angeles is not alone in this effort.
“A lot of cities, particularly in the West Coast, are beginning to implement AI or artificial intelligence solutions to transportation issues,” he said. “So this is a preview of what's going to be taking place in the future, and it's going to be expanding across the country as well as the world.”
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The new ordinance applies to certain grocers operating in the city and has led to some self-checkout lanes to shutter. -
Children asked to waive right to see a judge in exchange for $2,500 -
There’s still a lot to be determined as the refinery, which supplies about one-fifth of Southern California's vehicle fuels, works to restore production and as data is collected. -
The FCC voted to end E-Rate discounts for library hotspot lending and school bus Wi-Fi. -
About half the Pacific Airshow’s 2025 lineup has been grounded because of the federal government shutdown. -
USC says it’s reviewing the letter also sent to eight other prestigious schools nationwide. California's governor vowed that any California universities that sign will lose state funding.
Best of LAist