Last Updated on November 11, 2022 by Lawrence Berezin
It is a challenge to beat an NYC bus stop parking ticket
An NYC parking ticket for standing at an NYC bus stop is one of the most formidable parking tickets to beat.
“No person shall stand or park a vehicle other than an authorized bus in its assigned bus stop when any such stop has been officially designated and appropriately posted except that the operator of a vehicle may temporarily stand therein for the purpose of expeditiously receiving and discharging passengers provided such standing does not interfere with any bus about to enter or leave the such zone.”
What proof can you offer that will convince a parking ticket judge you:
- Stopped your chariot “temporarily?”
- Picked up or discharged a passenger “expeditiously?”
- Did NOT interfere with any bus about to enter or leave a bus stop zone?
That is to say, by issuing a parking ticket (and documenting all the required elements accurately), a warrior successfully establishes a prima facie case against you.
Therefore, It behooves you to present the proper proof properly that the cop or parking ticket warrior made a mistake of law or fact. You can accomplish this responsibility by offering the following:
- Witness statement
- Photos
- A precise description of where you stopped your chariot to pick up or discharge your passenger
What if you do get a parking ticket for standing at an NYC bus stop?
Larry’s Top 10 Tips:
- Defense is not, “I parked far enough away from the bus stop sign,” “I parked at least 25 feet away from the bus stop sign,” or “Other cars were parked closer to the bus stop sign and didn’t get a parking ticket,” or “How am I supposed to know the length of a bus stop zone?”
- Check for omitted, misdescribed, or illegible required elements on the front of your parking ticket. If you find one or more, you win upon application and presenting the proper proof properly
- If you’re discharging a passenger, what line and what time was the bus supposed to arrive (be very specific)
- Can you film your arrival in the bus stop zone, your passenger entering or exiting the vehicle, and your car departing the bus stop zone on your cell phone camera?
- Tell a detailed story and present it in an affidavit or certification
- Prepare a detailed statement by your witness and present it in an affidavit or certification.
- Don’t forget to authenticate the film by certifying its truth, accuracy, date, time, place, and the identity of the camera person (must sign the certification)
- Remember, you cannot pick up a passenger carrying any property (like a suitcase or groceries). You can only pick up or discharge an empty-handed passenger
- Check the space on the front of your parking ticket for comments. If it’s empty use it to prove you did not interfere with a bus
Knowledge is power
Learn as much as possible about how to beat a bus stop violation. Here are some earlier blog posts:
Commentary
Would you please try your absolute best to stay away from a bus stop zone? On the other hand, if you really must stop, drop or pick up, and go in a bus stop zone, be sure to do some heavy contemplating about how to prove your case.
I love storytelling with lots of facts. Likewise, your facts should persuade the judge to draw the conclusion you wish. Who was it that said, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.” (No, not Roy Rodgers).
Remember, there is no easter bunny or a yellow painted curb to indicate the length of a bus stop zone.
[Larry’s note: Photograph of the car in the bus stop zone is via “Uncivil Servants.” This website posts photographs of the abuse of parking permits and disobeying parking signs. Worth a visit!…UPDATE_website ]
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Tips are a great thing. In other words, how can tips be bad if they tell you something you didn’t know or remind you of something you did know about parking in NYC?
Here is some parking ticket gold. Use them wisely and save!
THANKS LARRY,I AM NOT SURE IF I AM GOING TO GET A TICKET BUT I AM IN PANIC MODE LOL,THIS WEEKEND I WAS LEGALLY PARKED ,THE FIRST CAR AFTER THE “BUS STOP” SIGN ON THE PASSENGER WAS A GARDEN OF SOME SORT WITH METAL WROUGHT IRON FENCE AROUND IT.MY THREE PASSENGERS COULD NOT GET IN THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE GATE SURROUNDING THE GARDEN SO I HAD TO REVERSE SOMEWHAT TO ENABLE THEM TO OPEN THE DOOR OR PULL INTO TRAFFIC ON SUPER BUSY EIGHTH AVE.WELL AT THAT MOMENT AS THEY ARE GETTING IN THE CAR ,UP ROLLS THE BUS,I PANIC I WAS LIKE GET IN ,GET IN I’M GONNA GET A TICKET.BUT I HAD TO PULL OUT OF THE SPACE…WHAT DO YOU THINK LARRY?
Dear Idella,
Good morning.
It sounds to me like you are A o.k., Idella.
But, just to be safe, you may wish to check your plate online
a couple of times over the next two weeks to be sure there were no
parking ticket warriors hiding under the bus.
Best,
Larry
Hi Larry i was parked at non standing bus stop but it was only few minutes and it was far the from 45 feets …i took a picture it is work? what i have to do and can i beat the ticket ? If i only mail the ticket?Thank you…
Hi Hasan,
I hate bus stops! I am sorry to report that I don’t have any “new” tips to help you beat this ticket, except what I’ve included in this blog post.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
Stop standing in bus stop it special if you see a person in a wheelchair waiting for the bus or someone disabled some bus will not be able to pick them up
Thanks for the good advice, Russell. Regards, Larry
Hi Larry,
Does my car have to be present in the pictures I am submitting as evidence or is it okay if another car who is currently parked there is in my pictures. I am trying to argue that the PO put the wrong address on the ticket/I am legally allowed to park because a parking sign is present therefore establishing the beginning of legal parking. Let me know and thank you!
to further add I am clearly detailing where I was parking in the explanations themselves so is it necessary or am i ok?
Hi, Mei,
Good morning.
It is always better to take a photo of your car parked at the place of occurrence. However, if the Warrior or Cop misdescribed the Rule, Days or Hours the Rule was in effect, that regulated the place of occurrence, you can 1) Take the appropriate photos of the parking signs on both sides of the place of occurrence, and 2) Confirm your live photos with screenshots of the location and Rules regulating the location on the NYC DOT Parking Regulations Map (Beta).
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
Does the bus stop sign need to have the words “No Standing” on it?
Hi Sam,
Good afternoon.
Great question. But, I’m afraid I don’t know the answer.
However, I’ve never seen a bus stop sign in NYC that does not display the words, “No-Standing.” This includes the old designed bus stop signs and the newer bus stop signs.
Have you come across a bus stop sign without the words, “No Standing?”
Regards,
Larry