May 7, 2002

Motorists who take a gamble and travel illegally in dedicated bus/bike lanes – be warned: your time is up.

The Auckland City Council wants police approval for council staff to be able to ticket drivers who illegally use the bus/bike lanes.

Currently, council parking officers can ticket drivers who park illegally in bus/bike-only lanes, but only the police can ticket moving vehicles.

The council’s transport committee will ask the police for a delegation of police powers to include the city parking officers so they are able to ticket moving vehicles in bus/bike lanes.

The North Shore City Council has government approval so that council staff can ticket moving vehicles in priority lanes. Auckland City is to seek the same delegation.

Councillor Greg McKeown, the chairperson of the committee, says if council staff can do the policing job, it will help the police who have limited resources.

“The bus priority lanes are playing an important role in making bus travel faster, more efficient and much more attractive to Aucklanders and the exclusivity of the lanes in peak hours needs to be preserved,” says Cr McKeown.

“When motorists use the bus lane in peak hours they not only abuse the system, but they incur the wrath of fellow motorists and reinforce a public perception that the lanes are not well enforced.”

Cr McKeown says there are also safety issues with vehicles travelling illegally on the bus/bike lanes.

Of two options put to the committee – one where infringement notices would be issued by post and another where vehicles would be stopped – the committee opted for the notices to be sent by post.

Staff will report back to the committee in August on detailed measures to enforce the on-road observation and issuing tickets by post option.

ENDS

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