By Lookout Staff

August 26, 2025 -- Starting next Monday, vehicles that are illegally parked in bus lanes and bus stops in Santa Monica will receive $293 citations as the Transportation Department formally launches its automated enforcement program.

The program uses two front-facing cameras mounted behind the windshields of all Big Blue Buses (BBB), including a license plate reader, that automatically detect and record illegally parked vehicles.

Parking officers will manually review each violation before the registered owner of the vehicle is mailed a citation, Transportation officials said.

The formal launch of the Automated Bus Lane and Bus Stop Enforcement, or ABLE program, comes after a 60-day warning period that began July 1 when violators were mailed both a warning notice and information about the program.

During the warning period, ABLE detected 1,129 illegally parked vehicles -- 352 parked in bus lanes and 777 at bus stops, which would have amounted to $330,797 in citations.

“The number of violations detected by ABLE during the warning period is eye-catching, yet not surprising,” said Transportation Department Director Anuj Gupta.

“It underscores the urgent need for programs like ABLE that help enforce existing laws designed to keep our communities moving safely and reliably.

"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 Transportation officials, an illegally parked vehicle "can delay up to 60 riders, create accessibility challenges for those boarding and exiting, and cause safety risks for other pedestrians and motorists.

"These impacts disproportionately affect individuals who rely on public transportation, particularly seniors, students, people with disabilities, and those with limited access to private vehicles."