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1/4/08 - Today, Mayor Gavin Newsom and San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Executive Director/CEO Nathaniel P. Ford, Sr. launched the Transit Lane Enforcement Pilot Project. Beginning January 4, 2008, the Transit Lane Enforcement Project will place forward-facing cameras on Muni vehicles to detect violations of parking restrictions in transit-only lanes, and issue parking citations based on video evidence.
"As congestion continues to clog our streets, we must continue to look for both proven and innovative approaches to improving Muni’s efficiency," said Mayor Newsom. "Improving Muni’s on-time performance is one of my priorities as we begin the year, and I look forward to seeing the results of this pilot."
During the initial three-month phase of the pilot, the camera-equipped vehicles will only travel on Mission Street between Main Street and 11th Street, and on Geary Street between Market Street and Gough Street during posted enforcement hours. If the first 90 days are successful, the SFMTA will inform the state legislature and continue the pilot by proceeding to install cameras on other buses operating in transit-only lanes.
Prior to issuing any citations, the SFMTA will issue warnings during the first 30 days of the pilot (January 4 – February 2, 2008). Then, like with the warning notices, citations will be sent to the owner of the vehicle.
Similar to the effectiveness proven with the use of red-light cameras to reduce accidents, the forward-facing cameras are aimed to allow traffic, including Muni vehicles, to move more quickly and efficiently through the City.
"Our 700,000 daily customers deserve reliability from Muni," said Ford. "With 14.8 miles of transit-only lanes, San Francisco streets and Muni riders will benefit from these cameras."
In 2007, Assemblywoman Fiona Ma introduced Assembly Bill 101 allowing for the placement of cameras on Muni vehicles to deter double parking in transit-only traffic lanes. The legislation passed in fall 2007.
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