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Bus Lane Enforcement (BLE) Program

Traffic congestion on local streets steals valuable time and creates safety issues for all street users, particularly those taking public transit to get to and from home, work, school, businesses, and other key locations.

Overview

Location: Central Los Angeles

Phase: Early Planning

Type: Better Transit

Forecasted Opening: November 1, 2024

When drivers park in bus lanes and bus stops, they make it difficult for everyone to get around – especially bus riders.

Metro is launching the Bus Lane Enforcement (BLE) program to help keep bus lanes and stops clear of parked vehicles. This program will issue citations to drivers who block these areas, enhancing the reliability and safety of Metro bus service for nearly 700,000 daily riders. By maintaining open transit zones, Metro ensures timely arrivals, safer travel, and improved accessibility for all, including people with disabilities.

Status

As part of the Bus Lane Enforcement (BLE) program, Metro has installed front-facing cameras on select buses that use artificial intelligence (AI) to detect vehicles that are parked in bus lanes and bus stops. When a parking violation is detected, an evidence package is created containing a short video of the violation, a photograph of the license plate of the offending vehicle, and the time and location where the incident occurred. The evidence package is the only information the camera system records. The camera system documents the violation, sends it to the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) for traffic officer review, and then issues a citation to the registered vehicle owner.

On November 1, 2024, Metro and LADOT launched the BLE program to ensure bus lanes remain clear and enhance transit reliability. The program’s Phase 1 implementation included lines 212 and 720, with citations beginning on February 17, 2025. Metro lines 70 and the J line (lines 910 and 950) are part of the Phase 2 implementation, with warning notices for bus lane and bus stop violations issued to violators until May 11, 2025. Beginning on Monday, May 12, 2025, LADOT will start issuing citations on Phase 2. Let’s keep bus lanes clear for better service.

If you have received a citation or have questions about the Bus Lane Enforcement (BLE) program, please reach out to LADOT at (866) 561-9742. For information on low-income payment options, visit https://ladotparking.org/adjudication-division/pay-a-citation.

Per California Vehicle Code §40240, §40240.5, and §40241 public transit agencies are authorized to implement programs that collect video images of parking violations in bus lanes and zones and partner with local jurisdictions to issue and adjudicate parking citations. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) initiated the Bus Lane Enforcement (BLE) program and partnered with the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) to issue and adjudicate parking violations within the City of Los Angeles. Those found in violation will be issued a citation via mail, which will contain information on how to pay for or contest the citation.

For more information on LADOT’s adjudication process, please visit: https://ladotparking.org/contact-us/