Busted on the Transit Lane

[Swoop]

It is interesting that the majority of the ramp-signalling areas have a transit bypass lane. St Lukes Rd on-ramp, heading west, does not have one. Hopefully the cagers don't mind a bit of lane splitting as they wait the second or so for their light...

[klingon]

It is interesting that the majority of the ramp-signalling areas have a transit bypass lane. St Lukes Rd on-ramp, heading west, does not have one. Hopefully the cagers don't mind a bit of lane splitting as they wait the second or so for their light...

Yep, I always lane-split on the ones that don't have bypass lanes. I make a point of it, because they are such a new feature and I would like car drivers to get used to it right from the start: "motorbikes are exempt from ramp signals! If you want to be exempt too, get yourself a bike!"

By the way, the original idea for the bypass lanes was (I think) so trucks wouldn't have to stop and start when they were heading uphill. So uphill ramps all have bypass lanes, flat or downhill ones are less likely to. That's what I understood the Transit traffic engineer to say anyway.

[MSTRS:Me]

That link is to the North Shore City transit lanes - they are enforced by North Shore City officers and are in place as the result of a bylaw.

The original poster is referring to motorway onramp transit lanes. They are the responsibility of central government (via the NZ Transport Agency) as part of the state highway system.

OK - that sounds fair enough. But how do you explain the ticket being justified, when the OP stated clearly the lane was T2, not Bus Only? http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/roa...ial-lanes.html

[Swoop]

...trucks wouldn't have to stop and start when they were heading uphill. So uphill ramps all have bypass lanes, flat or downhill ones are less likely to.

Well, that sort of makes sense.
I have yet to see a T2 on anything but a flat surface, out west, though.

[Mully]

By the way, the original idea for the bypass lanes was (I think) so trucks wouldn't have to stop and start when they were heading uphill. So uphill ramps all have bypass lanes, flat or downhill ones are less likely to. That's what I understood the Transit traffic engineer to say anyway.

My understanding is that the only "Bypass" lane that motorcycles are not allowed to use is the Southbound on-ramp in Grafton. That one is trucks specifically.

I think motorcycles are considered to be "high-occupancy" vehicles by Transit

[klingon]

OK - that sounds fair enough. But how do you explain the ticket being justified, when the OP stated clearly the lane was T2, not Bus Only? http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/roa...ial-lanes.html

Nope, can't justify the ticket. Quite the opposite. The OP should definitely challenge the ticket, with the full support of BRONZ (as Ixion has offered).

Well, that sort of makes sense.
I have yet to see a T2 on anything but a flat surface, out west, though.

The one I'm most familiar with is the westbound onramp at Great North Road (Waterview). It is slightly uphill and has a clearly marked T2 lane to bypass the ramp signals. That means me!

My understanding is that the only "Bypass" lane that motorcycles are not allowed to use is the Southbound on-ramp in Grafton. That one is trucks specifically.

I think motorcycles are considered to be "high-occupancy" vehicles by Transit

Yep, that's my understanding, too. The Grafton bypass is for trucks coming uphill from the port, fully loaded with shipping containers. But all the others are T2 lanes and bikes are permitted.

[sAsLEX]

OK - that sounds fair enough. But how do you explain the ticket being justified, when the OP stated clearly the lane was T2, not Bus Only? http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/roa...ial-lanes.html

You surely are referring to a lane in which bikes are specifically excluded as written in the law when you write "bus only"....... I find it funny Transit or whoever is in charge of the MW can't even follow the law.

[Sparrowhawk]

Having just taken Mrs. Sparrowhawk thru the road code to get her 6L, I'm pretty sure it mentions the Transit Lanes as specifically allowing motorcycles. I'll check when I get home though.

[Ixion]

If it is signed as a T2 lane , then bikes may use it. Full stop. The "unless specifically excluded" thing does not apply to T2 (or T3) lanes.

Transit have consiently supported this, (most recently only a few weeks ago) and the law is quite clear.

The cop is wrong. (And his reference to having to have two people etc confirms that it was a T2 lane)

The ticket is illegal.

[MSTRS:Me]

You surely are referring to a lane in which bikes are specifically excluded as written in the law when you write "bus only"....... I find it funny Transit or whoever is in charge of the MW can't even follow the law.

I'm not sure I follow what you are saying...
I know that certain Transit lanes are reserved for one vehicle type as indicated by markings (Bus Only, Bicycle Only, or stylised picture of allowed type). If marked as T2 then it may be used by any vehicle with 2 or more occupants AND motorcycles with rider only or with pillion.
I agree with Ixion below, and regardless of the incorrect reference in my first post I understood that the ticket was bullshit.

If it is signed as a T2 lane , then bikes may use it. Full stop. The "unless specifically excluded" thing does not apply to T2 (or T3) lanes.

Transit have consiently supported this, (most recently only a few weeks ago) and the law is quite clear.

The cop is wrong. (And his reference to having to have two people etc confirms that it was a T2 lane)

The ticket is illegal.

[xwhatsit]

It was the one at Penrose going North-bound on to the Southern Motorway.

I know it certainly has a T2 and a icon for buses and trucks, but don't think it has a motorbike icon on it. I'll make sure I take a snap next time I'm passing.

Thanks for the advice everyone - it's really great to get the support.

This is indeed a T2 lane, I use it most days to get to uni. First time I've heard of somebody getting ticketed on it, I've seen cops waiting at the end but I assume that was for radar guns etc. -- great onramp to give it shit (when the light goes green, three lanes racing side-by-side, there's an Audi RS4 there quite often...).

Interesting how many single-occupant cars feel they're allowed to use this particular lane.

[Swoop]

The ticket is illegal.

He should write himself a ticket for doing something illegal and by doing so it will help his personal quota...

Interesting how many single-occupant cars feel they're allowed to use this particular lane.

Quite so. The plod would get a few tickets out of doing just that.

[s_devo]

Well I came home from a great New Year's break to find the infringement notice has officially arrived in the mail. The offence is labeled as "Unauthorised use of special vehicle lane".

I suspect it's a pre-Christmas quota thing as some have hinted - as I also received in the mail a ticket for failing to display a current warrant of fitness on my car dated 17 December and it's clearly May 2009 in the car window.

I will contest both notices today, however I wonder how common this type of experience is with others, and how many infringement notices I need to receive before it's considered harassment!

Thanks to everyone for the support and the links have been just great thanks. Hopefully when someone else gets pinged they will find this thread and be able to clearly argue their case too.

[The Pastor]

cops are about 5 donuts short of a 6pack mate.

[Howsie]

"Unauthorised use of special vehicle lane".

I suspect it's a pre-Christmas quota thing as some have hinted - as I also received in the mail a ticket for failing to display a current warrant of fitness on my car dated 17 December and it's clearly May 2009 in the car window.

Photos will be really strong evidence in this case. Make sure you get a shot of the rego on your car too so they can check it if need be and that its not a random shot of any WOF sticker

Might be tricky getting the onramp sign...... although across the road with a good zoom should work ok. i might be able to help you on that one if needed

Howsie