GOVERNOR NEWSOM SIGNS AB 1837, MAKING AC TRANSIT EVEN SAFER

GOVERNOR NEWSOM SIGNS AB 1837, MAKING AC TRANSIT EVEN SAFER

New law preserves a proven tool for keeping bus lanes and bus stops safe and accessible

OAKLAND, Calif. - The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) extends its gratitude to Governor Gavin Newsom for signing Assembly Bill 1837 into law, preserving the Transit District's authority to use forward-facing bus cameras to enforce parking violations in bus-only lanes and at bus stops.

AB 1837 extends an existing statewide authorization that was scheduled to expire on January 1, 2027. The camera technology is designed to deter illegal parking that can delay buses, interfere with access to bus stops, and create safety and accessibility challenges when buses are unable to pull safely to the curb.

AC Transit began deploying automated forward-facing camera technology along the entire Tempo Bus Rapid Transit corridor in June 2024, targeting vehicles illegally occupying bus-only lanes and blocking Tempo station platforms.

The technology proved substantially more effective than the previous manual process, which relied on Bus Operators to identify potential violations by pressing an onboard button. In August 2024, AC Transit expanded the program to 100 buses, across our service areas, each equipped with two small forward-facing cameras mounted on the windshield.

Violations Declined with Forward-facing Camera Enforcement

Recent data compiled in partnership with Hayden AI, the Bay Area-based developer of the camera technology, show a significant decline in violations.

• Bus-only lane citations fell from 1,241 in the second quarter of 2025 to 631 during the same period in 2026, a decline of nearly 50%.
• Bus stop citations also declined, falling from 5,207 in the second quarter of 2025 to 4,068 in the second quarter of 2026, a reduction of more than 20%.

The downward trend underscores an important goal: fewer violations mean fewer vehicles blocking the dedicated space buses need to operate safely, reliably, and efficiently.

"I thank Governor Newsom for taking action to make public transportation safer and more accessible. Vehicles illegally stopped in bus-only lanes or blocking bus stops create more than an inconvenience. They delay service, disrupt trips, and can create serious risks for riders with disabilities and other vulnerable riders who need safe access to board and exit our buses," said Salvador Llamas, General Manager and CEO. "I am immensely proud of AC Transit's collaboration with the California Transit Association and LA Metro to sponsor and advocate for this legislation, which will undoubtedly improve the daily journey for riders across California."

AB 1837 was authored by Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez (D-Los Angeles), with Senator Jesse Arreguin (D-Oakland) serving as principal co-author, and was advanced through the Legislature with bipartisan support. AC Transit also recognizes the Bay Area legislators who supported the measure throughout the legislative process.

The Transit District is equally grateful for regional support of continued automated bus lane and bus stop enforcement, including from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, City and County of San Francisco, and Alameda County Transportation Commission.

With AB 1837 now law, AC Transit can continue helping more than 3 million monthly riders get to work, school, appointments, and home more safely and reliably by keeping bus lanes clear, bus stops accessible, and our buses moving.