Life of abuse in the bus lane

An Auckland City Council bus lane enforcement officer in Symonds St. Photo / Brett Phibbs

"IT'S A f**ken joke! You're just revenue-gathering." yelled a man from his 4WD.

Another sat on his horn and made an obscene gesture as he drove past in his BMW.

That's been life this week for Mani, an Auckland City Council bus lane enforcement officer. Auckland bus lanes have been the centre of attention since a New Zealand Herald campaign revealed unhappiness at news millions of dollars of fines had been issued for people unlawfully driving in them.

Mani, who did not want to give his full name, was standing on Symonds St, near Auckland University, filming people who drive in bus lanes.

Mani had people sending him dirty looks from their cars, beeping, shouting, as well as walking up to him in person to complain about fines.

"I'm not hiding - I'm standing here with a white jacket," said Mani. He has had bottles thrown at him in the past.

Mani said ignorance of the rules was no excuse for anger at being fined.

"It's no excuse. They're supposed to know the Auckland rules." He said the only reason people should be let off was in an emergency.

There are 10 bus lane enforcement officers in Auckland City Council who film offenders morning, night and afternoon. The highest yield areas are Main Highway in Ellerslie and Grafton Bridge in the city.

Filming drivers reduced offending in these areas, said Mani. When officers first set up in high-offence areas, they would catch up to 60 people in one shift, but once people were aware they didn't get more than 15.

After Mani finished his two-hour shift he would review footage to be sure offenders had broken the law. They would then be sent a $150 fine.