SEATTLE — A new pilot program is using cameras on buses to learn how often people in private vehicles illegally use bus-only lanes.
King County Metro noted Nov. 19 that the program is not issuing warnings or tickets but said the results will help them determine a path forward and make recommendations to their partner jurisdictions.
The City of Seattle and other jurisdictions would have the authority to issue tickets for bus lane violations thanks to a new law passed earlier this year. Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Oakland, Calif., and New York City all have similar programs already in place.
Metro said private vehicles in bus-only lanes can lead to dangerous collisions or delays in service.
"Additionally, slowing down buses wastes riders' time and taxpayer money," Metro wrote in a blog.
The pilot, which launched Nov. 6, placed cameras aboard two Metro buses. One serves the RapidRide E Line and the other serves Route 7. Cameras will film a 10-second video after identifying a bus-lane violation.
Metro has specifically noted challenges with private vehicles in the bus-only lanes on Rainier Avenue and on Aurora Avenue North between Shoreline and downtown Seattle. The agency has also had problems with people parking their cars in bus-only lanes along Aurora.
A preliminary analysis shows that a total of 123 collisions occurred between private vehicles and Route 7 buses in 2023 and 2024, so far. Around 120 collisions happened on the RapidRide E Line during that same period.
Metro said that cars staying out of bus lanes would help them improve their bus service. So far in 2024, 73% of trips on Route 7 have been on time, falling short of the agencies 80% goal. So far this year 75% of RapidRide E Line trips have been on time.
