Lucrative bus lane

Cars are banned from 7am to 7pm on Grafton Bridge. Photo / Herald on Sunday

New bus-only lanes on Grafton Bridge have helped swell Auckland City Council coffers by $1.7 million since they were introduced in December.

More than 11,000 drivers have been stung for using the bridge between 7am and 7pm, when both lanes of the central city bridge are reserved for buses.

A senior councillor admitted the signs alerting motorists to the change were inadequate.

"The signage needed to be upgraded, without doubt," said transport committee chairman Ken Baguley.

"I've suggested to officers that, with the benefit of hindsight, you're not alerted to the fact that it's a bus lane very well."

Baguley said the signs met NZTA standards, and a large temporary electronic sign was also in use at the Symonds St entrance.

The restrictions have been in place since October, when the bridge reopened after being strengthened to take thousands of buses a day as part of a new rapid transit route.

Baguley said there may have also been confusion because not all the planned bus services were using the route yet.

The council began issuing infringements in December after a two-month grace period, when drivers were sent warnings.

At $150 each, almost 4000 fines were sent in December, followed by 4765 in January and 2707 in February.