Study: Police lax on preventing drivers from parking in bus lanes

8/2/09
buses
By Heather Haddon

Study: Police lax on preventing drivers from parking in bus lanes

Poor policing lets drivers score free parking in city bus lanes, according to a study released yesterday by the Manhattan borough president.

Researchers observing six busy midtown intersections found motorists blocked buses for up to 15 minutes in more than 350 different instances. Not one vehicle was ticketed during the 40 hours of spot checks.

“What’s the point of having these regulations if they are never enforced,” asked Borough President Scott Stringer.

At the worst intersection, East 42nd Street and Madison Avenue, motorists blocked a bus about every 90 seconds.

Taxi, livery cabs and limousines were the most frequent culprits, followed by private cars and delivery trucks.

Tickets for blocking bus lanes are $115.

The NYPD issued nearly 1,800 summonses in the first six months of this year to drivers blocking the bus lanes, and the agency continues to ticket motorists “as resources are available,” a police spokesman said.

In February, the city installed video cameras to ticket drivers blocking the bus lanes on 34th Street, which shuttles 31,000 passengers a day on 30 routes.

City officials have lobbied Albany to allow them to expand the program, but state officials haven’t given it the green light.

City buses carry 2.4 million commuters during weekdays, according to the most recent MTA statistics.

hhaddon@am-ny.com
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Study: Police lax on preventing drivers from parking in bus lanes

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