Not a bus, risk a fine
WELLINGTON City Council has been granted authority from the Commissioner of Police to monitor and fine people driving illegally in bus lanes.
The council wants to educate people regarding behaviour on the roads given all the changes that occur with the opening of the new busways in Manners Mall.
Infrastructure director Stavros Michael says the aim is to reduce accidents and remind motorists of correct usage of the bus lanes, with a focus on illegal use of the Pirie Street bus tunnel and Manners Mall.
“The Manners Mall bus route requires attention to make sure there is no extraneous traffic getting into these areas,” he says.
However, if officers are working on another job other areas might be monitored too.
“If one of our officers is working in a particular area on another job, they might don their monitoring uniform and grab the camera for a few hours’ work on the bus lanes - especially if it’s deemed to be a problem area.”
Motorists using a bus lane illegally will be given a warning infringement notice and if caught a second time will be liable for a $150 fine from the end of October.
“In the initial stages we will be educating motorists. We will take photos and send them a notice saying please be aware that in the future you will be penalised.
“We will be visible; we don’t want to do anything covert because the main focus is to achieve compliance with the regulations. My ideal would be zero infringement notices, but we’ll see how it goes.”
The council wants to educate people regarding behaviour on the roads given all the changes that occur with the opening of the new busways in Manners Mall.
Infrastructure director Stavros Michael says the aim is to reduce accidents and remind motorists of correct usage of the bus lanes, with a focus on illegal use of the Pirie Street bus tunnel and Manners Mall.
“The Manners Mall bus route requires attention to make sure there is no extraneous traffic getting into these areas,” he says.
However, if officers are working on another job other areas might be monitored too.
“If one of our officers is working in a particular area on another job, they might don their monitoring uniform and grab the camera for a few hours’ work on the bus lanes - especially if it’s deemed to be a problem area.”
Motorists using a bus lane illegally will be given a warning infringement notice and if caught a second time will be liable for a $150 fine from the end of October.
“In the initial stages we will be educating motorists. We will take photos and send them a notice saying please be aware that in the future you will be penalised.
“We will be visible; we don’t want to do anything covert because the main focus is to achieve compliance with the regulations. My ideal would be zero infringement notices, but we’ll see how it goes.”
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