Santa Monica has begun issuing $293 citations to drivers who illegally park in bus lanes and bus stops following a two-month warning period that caught more than 1,100 violations.
The city's new Automated Bus Lane and Bus Stop Enforcement program, known as ABLE, uses cameras mounted on Big Blue Bus vehicles to automatically detect and photograph illegally parked cars. The formal enforcement launch follows a 60-day warning period that began July 1, during which the system detected 352 instances of illegal parking in bus lanes and 777 violations at bus stops.
"The number of violations detected by ABLE during the warning period is eye-catching, yet not surprising," said Anuj Gupta, Santa Monica's Department of Transportation director. "It underscores the urgent need for programs like ABLE that help enforce existing laws designed to keep our communities moving safely and reliably."
The enforcement program addresses a persistent problem that city officials say creates safety hazards and accessibility challenges for public transit users, particularly seniors, students and people with disabilities. When vehicles block bus stops, drivers cannot safely deploy wheelchair access ramps at the curb, forcing passengers using mobility devices to navigate around illegally parked cars.
Safety concerns have heightened following a May 30 incident in which an elderly woman was critically injured after being struck by a Big Blue Bus near the 2900 block of Pico Boulevard. The pedestrian was in the roadway when the collision occurred at approximately 8:18 a.m. near the intersection of 29th Street. She was transported to a hospital with critical injuries, though authorities ruled out impairment as a factor and the bus operator cooperated fully with investigators.
The incident underscores city officials' emphasis on transit safety as they implement the new enforcement program. Illegally parked vehicles force buses to make unexpected lane changes and create unpredictable traffic patterns that can endanger pedestrians and other road users.
"Clear bus lanes and stops will help us deliver more efficient service for thousands of Big Blue Bus riders every day," Gupta said.
According to city transportation officials, a single vehicle obstructing a bus lane or stop can delay up to 60 riders while creating safety risks for pedestrians and motorists. The impacts disproportionately affect individuals who rely on public transportation, including those with limited access to private vehicles.
The automated system employs two front-facing cameras installed inside the Big Blue Bus fleet, including license plate recognition technology. Registered vehicle owners receive citations by mail, with parking officers manually reviewing each violation before issuing fines.
During the warning period, violators received mailed notices explaining the new program along with information about bus lane and bus stop regulations. The city has offered payment plans for low-income individuals who receive citations.
Santa Monica's implementation of automated bus enforcement reflects broader efforts by transit agencies nationwide to improve service reliability and safety. The technology allows for consistent monitoring of violations that previously required manual enforcement by parking officers.
The program supports the city's strategic priority of maintaining clean streets and safe neighborhoods by investing in tools that enhance the multimodal transportation network. City officials argue that reducing illegal parking in bus lanes and stops advances Big Blue Bus's commitment to operating an efficient, equitable and sustainable transit system.
Big Blue Bus has operated bus-only lanes on several major corridors to improve travel times and service reliability. When vehicles park illegally in these designated lanes, buses must merge into regular traffic, slowing service and disrupting schedules for thousands of daily riders.
The enforcement program builds on a 2023 pilot project in which Big Blue Bus tested the camera technology on two buses over 45 days, documenting more than 500 instances of illegal parking in bus lanes and stops. The pilot results helped city officials recognize the scope of the violation problem and develop the comprehensive enforcement approach.
Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus operates a fleet of 195 vehicles serving a 58-square-mile area, transporting passengers daily throughout Santa Monica and the greater Los Angeles region. The agency, which has served the area since 1928, plans to convert its entire fleet from natural gas to zero-emissions vehicles by 2032. Currently, more than 30 buses operate on battery power, while the remainder use alternative fuels including renewable natural gas.
The transportation department worked with the Santa Monica Police Department to develop the ABLE program, which aims to deter violations through consistent enforcement rather than relying solely on occasional police patrols.
City officials emphasized that the program focuses on improving transit accessibility and safety rather than generating revenue. The $293 fine amount matches California's standard citation cost for parking violations in bus zones.
The automated enforcement represents part of Santa Monica's broader transportation strategy to encourage public transit use and reduce vehicle congestion on city streets. By maintaining clear bus lanes and stops, officials expect to improve service reliability and make public transportation more attractive to residents and visitors.
Transit advocates have long argued that consistent enforcement of bus lane and stop regulations is essential for effective public transportation systems. The new automated approach provides 24-hour monitoring capability that manual enforcement cannot match.
Santa Monica joins several California cities that have implemented similar automated enforcement programs to protect transit infrastructure and improve service quality for public transportation users.