Mangere bus lane warnings increased

Large warning signs and more bus lane markings will be put on Bader Drive in Mangere.

Manukau City Council is making the changes so it is very clear to drivers that it is illegal to drive in a bus lane. It follows a large number of fines issued to people driving in the Bader Drive bus lane this year. The number of tickets issued for driving in the city’s other bus lanes has been low.

The council has also been waiving multiple tickets issued to some drivers. This covers tickets issued between when the first one was issued and when the letter about the fine is likely to have arrived in their mailbox – usually two weeks.

Although the bus lane signs and markings currently on Bader Drive are to the standard legally required, a decision has been made to make them more visible.

A report on the changes will go to the Mangere Community Board.

Manukau City Council Transportation Manager Chris Freke says a review has shown that the bus lane is needed on Bader Drive.

“Drivers should remember that it is illegal to drive in a bus lane. The council is required to enforce the law.

“We don't want drivers to keep getting fined, but the solution isn’t to just get rid of the bus lane. Just like we wouldn't change a speed limit if people were being fined for speeding on a particular street,” Mr Freke says.

“However with the large number of fines issued for this bus lane the council has decided to increase the signs and markings so it is very clear people shouldn’t drive in the bus lane.

“This is more than the warnings for other bus lanes in Manukau and other parts of the Auckland region,” Mr Freke says.

Manukau Mayor Len Brown says he was concerned to hear about the large number of fines and asked council officers to investigate further.

“I support bus lanes because they are an important part of making public transport a good alternative to the car. This council is committed to public transport for getting people to and from work and school.

“It’s particularly important to have good public transport in Mangere, but to make buses a good alternative to the car we need bus lanes so they can move quickly. I want to remind people not to drive in bus lanes so they don’t get fined.

“We do need to be more sensitive in delivering messages to our communities about changes like this. The council will look at ways to work closely with schools and churches to do that,” Mr Brown says.

ENDS

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