Using bus lanes
Bus lane. Research shows us that if bus lanes are for buses and bikes, and cars use regular traffic lanes, all will get where they want to go faster.
Bus lanes in Auckland City are clearly marked with roadside signage. This usually states: BUS LANE, and then outlines the hours the bus lane is operating.
New national road transport user rules mean bus lanes do not necessarily have to be signposted as clearways. Wherever you see a BUS LANE sign, make sure you check the signage and ensure you know what times it operates.
When bus lanes are operating, motorists are not able to use these lanes, and risk being towed and a $150 fine.
Auckland City will be applying the regional standards for bus lane colouring. This generally means a section at the beginning and end of each bus lane will be coloured green (and sometimes intermediate sections as well), to help motorists recognise the bus lanes.
While bus lanes generally operate citybound during the morning traffic peak and outbound during the afternoon traffic peak, operation times do differ within the city, so it's important that you read the bus lane signage.
Key facts about using bus lanes:
- Bikes use bus lanes too! Buses, cycles and motorcycles are all authorised users of bus lanes, so keep an eye out for them. Auckland City and Manukau City Council are currently running a bus lane education campaign: click here for more information.
- If you are turning, merging or accessing a driveway when a bus lane is operating, you can use the bus lane for up to 50 metres.
- Auckland City enforces the correct use of bus lanes. If you drive in a bus lane when it's operating, for any reason other then needing to turn within 50 metres, you risk a $150 fine.
- Driving, parking or stopping on the lanes is prohibited during the times they operate. If you are parked or stopped on a lane at the wrong time, you will be given a parking ticket.
- You can drive in bus priority lanes outside of their operational times
- Auckland City bus priority lanes can be used by the following vehicles only:
- buses. (A bus is defined in the new Land Transport Rule as a passenger service vehicle with 10 or more seats, including the driver's seat. This excludes tourist and shuttle buses)
- cycles
- motorcycles, motor scooters, mopeds
- Bus lanes on motorways operate differently than local road bus lanes in that motorcycles and cycles cannot use them.
- Taxis (cars or shuttles with nine seats or less) may not use the bus priority lanes.
- If you receive a $150 fine for driving illegally in a bus lane, you can pay your fine online.
Learn the rules and you'll get where you need to go faster! Bus lanes work best when everyone keeps to the lanes they should be in.
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Originally Posted by Tickler
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