The City of Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus is launching Automated Bus Lane and Bus Stop Enforcement (ABLE) to improve bus service in Santa Monica. Keeping bus lanes and bus stops clear for buses is essential to making Big Blue Bus safe, reliable, and accessible to everyone who rides.
Illegal parking in bus lanes and bus stops prevents transit riders from reaching their destinations on time and makes boarding unsafe and inaccessible for riders, especially those with disabilities. In summer 2023, Big Blue Bus piloted ABLE technology on two buses and found over 500 instances of vehicles illegally parked in bus lanes and bus stops in just 45 days. Big Blue Bus is launching ABLE to deter illegal parking in bus lanes and bus stops; this program uses advanced, forward-facing camera systems mounted behind bus windshields to detect instances of violations in Santa Monica. Parking officers at the City of Santa Monica will manually review each bus lane or bus stop parking violation.
What Do Drivers Need to Know?
Starting July 1, 2025, registered owners of vehicles parked illegally in bus lanes and bus stop zones in Santa Monica will receive warning notices in the mail. Citations will be issued starting September 1, 2025 and cost $293. Payment plans are available to low-income individuals who receive a citation for parking in a bus lane or bus stop.
Program Benefits:
- Safe and accessible bus stops
- More reliable, on-time bus service
- Safer roads for everyone moving around Santa Monica
Keeping Bus Stops Clear:
When a bus stop is blocked by an illegally parked vehicle, Big Blue Bus operators are unable to safely deploy wheelchair access ramps on the curb, making it challenging for people using wheelchairs to board and exit buses. Illegal parking at bus stops also forces riders to walk around parked cars and into active traffic lanes to access the bus, putting them in dangerous situations.
Keeping Bus Lanes Clear:
The City of Santa Monica has installed dedicated bus lanes
to improve bus speeds and keep buses on-time for the thousands of people who rely
on Big Blue Bus every day. Illegal parking in bus lanes slows down buses and
prevents riders from reaching their destinations on time.