SF Muni Bus Cameras Targeting Illegally-Parked Vehicles Get Permanent OK

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- An ongoing pilot program that uses cameras on San Francisco Muni buses to record drivers illegally stopped in bus lanes has been made permanent by Gov. Jerry Brown.

The city's Transit Only Lane Enforcement program uses front-facing cameras on Muni buses to capture the license plates of vehicles parked or stopped in bus lanes and send tickets to the registered owners.

It's been in effect as a pilot program since 2007 and was reapproved in 2011. On Sunday, Gov. Brown signed Assembly Bill 1287 authored by Assemblyman and former San Francisco supervisor David Chiu, making the pilot program permanent.

"Muni has to go faster than eight miles an hour," said Chiu in a statement. "As we increase service on Muni and our economy continues to grow, we have to make sure that our transit system can operate efficiently and reliably."

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency says the program which started with cameras on 30 buses, has now expanded to include cameras on all buses.

"With more than two dozen miles of transit-only lanes throughout San Francisco, we have made significant progress in how we move Muni in our most congested corridors.," SFMTA Director of Transportation Ed Reiskin said in a statement. "This legislation will allow us to ensure that these transit-only lanes are kept as clear as possible."

A citation for being stopped or parked in a transit-only lane will cost $110, according to SFMTA.

 
Carlos E. Castañeda is Senior Editor, News & Social Media for CBS San Francisco and a San Francisco native. You can follow him on Twitter or send him an email.