LA Issues 9,774 AI Parking Violation Tickets in First Month

Los Angeles has issued nearly 10,000 parking violation tickets in just one month through its new AI camera system installed on Metro buses, according to the city’s Department of Transportation.

The enforcement began in the second half of March 2025, with 3,093 tickets issued during the first two weeks. In the first half of April 2025, the number rose to 6,681 tickets, totaling 9,774 tickets in four weeks. This is nearly 20 times higher than the previous monthly average of 570 tickets issued manually by traffic officers.

How the AI Camera System Operates

The AI system uses cameras mounted on buses to automatically capture license plate photos, along with the time and location of vehicles illegally parked in bus-only lanes. The collected data is reviewed by city staff before a ticket is issued. The minimum fine for a violation is $293 per ticket.

The AI camera system currently operates on the following Metro routes:

• Line 212 (Hollywood/Vine to Hawthorne/Lennox)

• Line 720 (Santa Monica to Downtown LA)

• Line 70 (Olive Street and Grand Avenue)

• Lines 910 and 950 (Metro J Line section)

Recording Process and Privacy Measures

The cameras, developed by Hayden AI, do not record continuously. They only activate when a violation is detected, capturing the license plate and recording 20 to 30 seconds of footage. This footage is transmitted in real time to a review system, where city staff members confirm the violation before issuing a ticket.

Metro Board Chair Highlights Impact

Janice Hahn, chair of the Metro Board of Directors and a county supervisor, underscored the program’s significance: “Even one illegally parked vehicle in a bus-only lane can disrupt service for dozens or even hundreds of passengers.”

BY BRIAN CHOI [ichoi@koreadaily.com]