Bill would let MARTA use cameras to ticket parked cars in bus rapid transit lanes, with six-month education period

A bill presented to the Georgia House Rules Committee would allow the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority to use camera enforcement to ticket parked vehicles in designated bus rapid transit lanes.

The sponsor said House Bill 638 would permit citations only for parked vehicles in bus lanes rather than moving vehicles. The bill includes a six-month warning and education period before citations begin, requires specific signage to alert drivers, and sets fines identical to Georgia's distracted-driving penalties. The bill also contains a five-year sunset provision so the authority would need to demonstrate effectiveness before permanent continuation.

"Only parked vehicles would be issued a citation," the sponsor said, and "there would be a six-month warning period, an education period for the community before anything would start" (Presenter, HB 638). The sponsor added the fines would be the same amounts as those in the distracted-driving statute and that no additional administrative fees would be added.

Committee members did not record formal questions or a vote on HB 638 during the hearing. The sponsor noted the bill had been refined with help from leadership and emphasized enforcement is intended to keep bus rapid transit lanes clear during large events in Atlanta.

Why it matters: The measure would expand automated enforcement tools for transit authorities in Atlanta, balance education with enforcement through a defined warning period, and include a sunset to allow evaluation.

Next steps: HB 638 was presented on the committee calendar; no recorded vote was taken during this session.