SEPTA and Philadelphia Parking Authority announce crackdown on illegal bus lane parking
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- SEPTA and the Philadelphia Parking Authority will be using AI technology to help crack down on drivers who illegally park in bus lanes and bus stops.
Starting May 7, cameras will be active on 150 buses and 30 trolleys along four routes.
The plan is to expand to 18 routes this summer.
SEPTA and PPA said the goal is for the Automated Bus Camera Enforcement Initiative to alleviate congestion and improve public safety.
SEPTA bus drivers are welcoming the change.
"I think a lot of people will respect it a little bit more and be more aware," said SEPTA bus driver Dwayne Campbell. "You have passengers that have to get on and off the bus safely and it makes the job very difficult when you got to weave in and out of traffic all the time."
But one city resident we spoke to wants to know what this will mean for parking.
"Where are we going to park? I don't know what we're going to do," said Diana Lips. "The city doesn't have nowhere for us to park so what do they want us to do? No, that's highway robbery."
The PPA says the technology has been deployed in other major cities and has improved times and reduced crashes.
But it has also reportedly led to thousands of parking violations made in error.
SEPTA says a team will be monitoring to avoid mistakes.
Action News has been covering this since Mayor Jim Kenny signed it into law back in 2023.
In a special report two weeks ago, Action News Investigators got a first hand look at how the tech will decipher between cars that parked legally and illegally.
