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August 29, 2025 - Sept. 4, 2025 Volume CXXIII Issue 214
Santa Monica to Enforce Bus Lane and Stop Parking With Cameras and Hefty Fines Big Blue Bus Cameras Will Capture Violators Blocking Bus Lanes or Stops
Starting Sept. 1, drivers who block bus lanes or bus stops in Santa Monica will face $293 fines under a new automated enforcement program launched by the city’s Department of Transportation and Police Department. The Automated Bus Lane and Bus Stop Enforcement (ABLE) program equips Big Blue Bus vehicles with two frontfacing cameras, including license plate recognition technology, to detect and record illegally parked cars. Registered vehicle owners will then receive citations by mail. The rollout follows a 60-day warning period that began July 1, during which violators were issued notices but no fines. In that time, ABLE identified 352 illegal parking incidents in bus lanes and 777 at bus stops.
“The number of violations detected by ABLE during the warning period is eyecatching, yet not surprising,” Department of Transportation Director Anuj Gupta said. “It underscores the urgent need for programs like ABLE that help enforce existing laws designed to keep our communities moving safely and reliably. Clear bus lanes and stops will help us deliver more efficient service for thousands of Big Blue Bus riders every day.” City officials say even a single vehicle parked illegally can delay up to 60 riders, create accessibility problems for passengers with disabilities, and pose safety risks for pedestrians and motorists. The impacts are felt most by seniors, students, low-income residents, and others who depend on public transit. By keeping bus corridors clear, Santa Monica officials say ABLE will advance the city’s goals of building a more efficient and equitable transit system while reinforcing priorities for clean streets, safe neighborhoods, and sustainable transportation.
Beloved Santa Monica Art Gallery to Close Amid Financial Hardships Originally opened in 1987, the gallery was the first tenant in Frank Gehry’s Edgemar building in Santa Monica After nearly four decades, Lois Lambert Gallery, known for its focus on functional art, will close its doors on September 30, 2025. Gallery owner Lois Lambert announced the decision, citing rising costs and financial challenges that have made continuing operations unsustainable. Originally opened in 1987 as the Gallery of Functional Art, the gallery was the first tenant in Frank Gehry’s Edgemar building in Santa Monica. In 1994, Lambert relocated to Bergamot Station, rebranding it as Lois Lambert Gallery. The gallery has since represented over 100 emerging and mid-career artists from the United States, Latin America, South America, Europe, and Asia, showcasing
works in painting, sculpture, mixed media, and photography. Adjacent to the main space, Our Gallery Store offered high-design and artist-made objects, while the Project Room and Upstairs Gallery, added in 2017, provided additional exhibition areas. Lambert expressed gratitude to her customers, stating, “I can no longer bear the expense of running the gallery, and it’s time to step away.” To mark the closure, she will host a “Going Out of Business” sale from September 1 to September 30, with discounts escalating weekly: 20% to 30% off the first week, 30% to 40% off the second, 40% to 50% off the third, and further reductions in the final week based on remaining inventory. Post-closure, Lambert will remain available for consultations and advice by telephone and plans to organize “pop-up” exhibitions, with updates to be shared via email. “Thank you for being part of this journey,” she wrote, signing off with gratitude.