Bus lane controversy - readers respond

We asked readers if they thought rules around using bus lanes were too confusing - and provoked heated debate. Photos / Brett Phibbs, Sarah Ivey

After the Herald last week revealed Aucklanders had been stung for $4.2 million in fines in one year for driving in bus lanes, we asked readers if they thought rules around using the lanes were too confusing.

Under nationwide Transport Agency rules, motorists can drive on bus lanes to turn left if they are within 50m of an intersection.

But Auckland motorists are liable for a $150 fine if they switch too soon.

City council officers often place cameras at the 50m mark to record infringements, but there are no road signs to indicate when motorists can enter a bus lane to turn left.

One of the 180 to comment on nzherald.co.nz, Paul said that around the world, "bus lanes have been dismissed almost immediately and/or are treated as a stupid joke. And we introduced them - disregarding overseas painful experience".

Alan Wilkinson didn't think bus lanes were confusing, he reckoned they were "brain-dead stupid and inexcusable like 99 per cent of our laws and regulations. It should be lawful to pull into the bus lane wherever you like when you're about to turn left so long as you don't unnecessarily impede bus traffic. End of story."

Robert thought the council was just trying to generate revenue. "This is a recession and the council should have as its first priority getting all traffic as efficiently as possible to its destination," he said. "The only conclusion, as you draw in your article, is that is is purely about revenue generation."

Pam Holt agreed. "I find the whole bus lane restriction totally stupid," she said. "In a city with heavy traffic problems, these lanes should be allowed to be used by cars with more than one person at the least. I say do away with them completely!"

Nigel from Waitakere thought the situation was "disgraceful". After he refused to pay the $150 fine for using a bus lane, "they sent the collections team and hounded me at my home. I felt hunted down and forced to pay $430 just to make them go away."

Trudy said it was "an unfair and draconian rule to expect drivers to be able to accruately estimate 50m".

Jeff Tichborne said "the law is not confusing to understand, it's just plain wrong! Most people would be unable to accurately estimate 50 metres - and that's what the council is banking on, and of course it's a money grab."

On our Facebook page, Michelle Warren said she got pinged on Symonds Street. "They were targeting people turning left to the uni car park - terrible way to generate money from those that can least afford to pay a fine. I have complained and not had a response."

But not everyone hates bus lanes. Matt from Henderson said "instead of attacking bus lanes, we should be using the money collected by the idiots who drive in them to put more bus lanes in and more buses to drive along them".

Jono said "the bus lanes are totally awesome. They should have strict enforcement, otherwise they lose their utility. Maybe better signage is needed, but the rule as it stands is appropriate."

Ian thought the rule was very simple - do not drive in the bus lanes. "Where's the confusion? There is a concession, you can enter a bus lane when turning left within a reasonable distance so that you can avoid the five cars or so ahead that would otherwise block you."

Robert Moody reckoned "the people complaining about the fines are most probably the same people that tail the bus in the bus lane hoping not to be caught. If you want to use the bus lane, you have a few choices - catch the bus, ride a bike. Stop being petty about a non-issue."

Mac said "I'm assuming most people writing into this drive their cars, because from a bus user's perspective bus lanes are fantastic and reward those who use public transport."

Nick R said "this isn't about revenue collection, it's about trying to teach you morons a lesson to keep out of the bus lane. A lesson you are obviously having trouble with."

And Blair said "let's face it - we are a nation of impatient, anti-intellectual whingers who love to complain about anything we can. Changing the distance you are allowed to drive in a bus lane would not change this."