Support for reforming the MTA’s automated bus camera ticket program

To the editor,

I am writing to urge your support for reforming the MTA’s automated bus camera ticket program. While the goal of keeping bus lanes clear is valid, the current progressive fine structure — which scales up to $250 for repeat offenses — is fundamentally unjust and places an oppressive burden on working drivers.

The core purpose of a traffic fine is to correct driving behavior. However, the current system fails this logic entirely because it does not give drivers a chance to correct their behavior before subsequent, escalated fines are issued. By the time a driver receives their very first ticket in the mail, they may have already committed the same infraction multiple times over several weeks while remaining entirely unaware of the new camera enforcement.

My own situation illustrates this predatory flaw. I was cited for my first infraction on March 7. Because of the MTA’s notification lag, I did not receive that notice in the mail until nearly two months later, in May.

During that multi-week blind spot, I was cited two more times for letting passengers off along the Bx9 route. Because the system automatically triggers an escalation for “repeat” offenses, the second and third tickets jumped to $150 and $200. As a result, I was hit with a total of $550 in fines before I even knew the first violation occurred.

A progressive fine system is meant to penalize drivers who willfully ignore warnings. Because the MTA’s notification lag prevents drivers from learning they are breaking a rule, the escalating penalties act as a financial trap rather than a deterrent.

I urge you to champion legislation that limits camera violations to a flat $50 fine. If the city maintains this predatory penalty escalation, it could lead to mass defaults on fines, resulting in thousands of working New Yorkers having their vehicles impounded and auctioned off.

We need common-sense reforms to protect our communities before this becomes a reality. I ask for your support in fixing this system.

MARTIN G. EDMONDSON

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