Los Angeles DASH Bus-Lane Camera Enforcement Begins With Warnings; $293 Fines From January 2

The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) began camera enforcement on DASH buses on November 2: two forward-facing cameras mounted behind each bus windshield automatically record vehicles illegally parked in bus lanes or at bus stops, with warning notices mailed to the registered owners. Warnings will be issued for the first 60 days, and paid citations of $293 begin on January 2, 2027. (Photo: file image of a Los Angeles DASH bus.)

First phase: 30 buses downtown and Pico-Union

The first phase puts cameras on 30 buses covering downtown DASH routes A, B, D, E and F, plus the Pico-Union route. A second phase after January 27, 2027 adds 20 more buses serving Crenshaw, Panorama City/Van Nuys, Watts and Wilshire Center/Koreatown, for up to 50 cameras in total. The City Council approved the expansion on October 21 by a 13-1 vote; the $3.43 million contract with Hayden AI runs for three years, though its longer-term operation depends on an extension of state authorization.

Pilot recorded more than 3,400 potential violations

LADOT said a 60-day pilot on downtown routes A and F recorded more than 3,400 potential violations, averaging about four per hour. General Manager Laura Rubio-Cornejo said keeping bus lanes and bus stops clear of illegally parked vehicles is essential to ensuring DASH buses are on time and accessible, noting that blocked stops can prevent operators from safely deploying wheelchair ramps and force buses into general traffic. LADOT said traffic officers will review each evidence package before any citation is issued, and payment plans are available to people with low incomes.

Following Metro and others; Santa Monica saw violations fall

DASH joins Metro, Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus and Culver City Bus in using bus-mounted cameras. LADOT cited Santa Monica figures showing bus-lane parking violations down 52% and bus-stop parking violations down 40% in March 2026 compared with August 2025, the first full month in which warnings were issued.

Sources: LADOT, Streetsblog Los Angeles, MyNewsLA (2026-10-29/10-30).