Police crack down on bus lane violators

SEATTLE, Wash. — Seattle police cracked down on people illegally driving in the bus lanes in downtown Seattle on Thursday.

Police said the drivers hold up bus riders but can also slow down other cars as well.

“The guy behind me -- he didn't get a ticket,” Michelle Filler said after she was pulled over. “He was doing the exact same thing.”

Filler was caught skipping the line at the height of rush-hour traffic.

"What I usually do is use the bus lane and then pull over, which is what everyone does -- I've seen so many people do it!," she said.

Seattle police set up shop at Howell Street and 9th Avenue. Each ticket is $136.

SPD estimates drivers who illegally use the transit lanes slow down buses and the commuters on them by up to five minutes on each street.

It's an annoyance bus riders shared with KIRO 7 last month during a police crackdown at 9^th and Olive.

“It is frustrating because if I want to get somewhere by a certain time, I don’t want to be delayed,” Jessica Konen said at the time.

The drivers can also slow down other vehicles by blocking the lane for drivers who are properly making a right turn.

Seattle DOT is working to make bus lanes and who should be using them as clear as possible.

Officers will routinely target areas around the city to catch people using the wrong lanes.

“We are really hoping that motorists are going to take this message to heart and respect the bus lanes -- stay out of them during the commute,” Seattle Police Sgt. Sean Whitcomb said.

SDOT and police said it’s not about making money; rather, they said it’s about making transit operate reliably and efficiently.

KIRO