Bus lane camera in Wellington quickly racks up huge fines

A bus lane camera on Riddiford St in Wellington has been busy after just over a month in action. It has snapped countless errant drivers and been a big money spinner for local council.

New fixed cameras began operating on Riddiford Street, Adelaide Road in Newtown and Chaytor Street in Karori recently. 

The Riddiford Street bus lane runs near the Wellington Regional Hospital.

According to RNZ, between 9 December and 17 January, 1475 tickets were issued for people driving in the bus lane. That led to $221,250 worth of fines being mailed out. By contrast, the Adelaide Road bus lane raised just $26,250 during the same period.

One of those snapped by the camera told RNZ he believed people were driving on it unintentionally. He said the council should make it clearer that motorists cannot use it.

A Wellington City Council spokesperson said drivers should always check signs for bus lane operating hours.

All bus lanes are clearly marked with signs and green on-road markings. 

AA spokesperson Dylan Thomsen said nationally they had seen bus lane enforcement result in considerable numbers of fines.

He said many “drivers out there don’t actually know the rules about these lanes.”

“It warrants the council taking a look at it and trying to get to the bottom of why there’s so many more people being ticketed for this particular bus lane.”

The council said that it has reviewed the signage and was comfortable it complied with the rules.

Matt Lowrie, Director of the Greater Auckland Transport website, said the number of tickets being issued highlighted why enforcement was needed in the first place.

“If they [cars] are travelling more than a short distance in them they are delaying buses, they are delaying bus passengers.”

The rules state that bus lanes are only for use by buses, bikes, motorbikes and mopeds during restriction times. All other vehicles can use these lanes briefly (up to 50 metres) to cross through to another lane or turn into another street or driveway. 

Some bus lanes are strictly for bus use only, generally on motorways.