Starting Sep. 7, $100-200 Fine for Bus Lane Violation

Photo from District Department of Transportation (DDOT)

Clear Lane program will start tomorrow after a 45-day warning period from July 24. According to DDOT, it is “a joint initiative between the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) and DDOT that aims to improve bus travel times and enhance bus stop safety by using camera technology to identify illegally parked and stopped vehicles in dedicated bus lanes and bus zones.”

Metro announced that the automated cameras are mounted on the metro bus behind the windshield. These cameras will take photos and a video of the violating vehicles and send pieces of information to DDOT directly for enforcement. The Bus Lanes and Bus Zones are indicated in the signage or “Red” marked on the road.

According to DDOT, The Bus Lane violation will be fined $200.

Unauthorized vehicles should not:

Enter bus lanes except to enter a legal parking space or turn within 40 feet of an intersection or driveway, as typically marked by signage or dashed red road markings; and
Stop, stand, or park in a bus lane.
Authorized vehicles include the following:
- Public transit buses, tour buses, school buses, and streetcars;
- Bikes, e-bikes, and scooters;
- Maintenance vehicles (DC or WMATA vehicles that are actively making repairs);
- Emergency vehicles (while responding to an emergency); and
- Accessible transportation service vehicles (wheelchair-accessible vehicles registered with a government agency or with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission that are actively transporting someone with a disability)

The Bus Zones violation will be enforced on the driver with $100.

Bus zones are areas along the curb within 80 feet of the approach side and 20 feet of the departure side of a bus stop flag, unless otherwise signed.

Unauthorized vehicles should not stop, stand, or park in a bus zone except to avoid conflict with other traffic.

Authorized vehicles include the following: