Council Member Robert Holden is calling on the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) to immediately remove a controversial bus lane enforcement camera located on Woodhaven Boulevard at Wetherole Street, citing a surge of constituent complaints and growing safety concerns.
The camera, positioned on the northbound side of Woodhaven Boulevard heading toward Queens Boulevard, has become the subject of intense scrutiny. Drivers have reported receiving violations they believe are unfair, claiming the roadway’s layout leaves them with no safe options.
“This particular bus lane camera is forcing my constituents to do one of two things: accept a violation to avoid an accident, or accept an accident to avoid a violation,” said Holden.
“That’s not proper planning. I ask that the DOT remove or move this camera to a more suitable location. The violations people are receiving are not from scofflaws who couldn’t care less about traffic rules — they’re from ordinary drivers trying to stay safe. This is a money-generating scheme that puts people in danger.”
The current street configuration presents a difficult choice for drivers: remain in the bus lane for longer than the 200 feet legally permitted and risk a fine, or abruptly swerve into adjacent traffic to avoid a violation. During peak hours, congestion makes it nearly impossible to change lanes safely, raising the risk of accidents.
Holden is urging the DOT to reassess the placement of the camera and conduct a comprehensive traffic safety review of this section of Woodhaven Boulevard. He emphasized that enforcement strategies should prioritize public safety over revenue generation.
Under existing DOT and MTA regulations, violations captured by bus lane cameras are reviewed by trained operators before notices of liability are issued. These notices include a photo and video evidence of the infraction, as well as a link for the vehicle owner to view the footage online. Once processed, the violations are adjudicated by the Department of Finance (DOF).
A 2022 report showed that from May 2017 through the end of 2021, the city issued over 1.5 million violations through its bus lane camera system. However, critics like Holden argue that such statistics reveal a broader issue of over-enforcement, especially in areas where roadway design limits driver choices.
New York City traffic rules allow non-bus vehicles to enter bus lanes under certain conditions—such as to make the next legal right turn, access the curb, or yield to emergency vehicles—but Holden contends that the current setup on Woodhaven Boulevard fails to adequately accommodate such legal exceptions, making safe navigation nearly impossible.
