Drivers contemplating parking in bus stops may want to think again as the Dunedin City Council cracks down on the practice.
Council compliance, animal and parking services team leader Peter Hanlin said parking officers later this month would place greater focus on issuing infringement notices to motorists caught parking in bus stops, as it was a safety issue.
While infringement notices were issued in the past, parking officers would now be rostered during evenings, outside of their normal hours.
It was at this time the infringement was known to be most common, he said.
Stops being blocked was a ''daily occurrence'' for some bus drivers.
''We'll be targeting bus stops in a range of ways, including patrolling in vehicles and having parking officers ride the buses.''
Infringement notices would be sent in the post so bus timetables were not disrupted.
''People who are parking on bus stops are putting other road users and pedestrians at risk because it means the buses are having to double park while picking up or dropping off passengers, causing congestion and increasing the risk of a traffic accident.''
Otago Regional Council public transport lead Julian Phillips said there were also safety risks for passengers when drivers parked in bus stops.
''When buses can't pull into bus stops safely and align with the pavement, it's more difficult for children, and for people with mobility issues, to get on and off the bus.''
In the past five years the average number of infringement notices issued to people parking on bus stops was 302 annually, at a cost of $60 each.
Among the areas being patrolled were the problem spots of South Dunedin, around the Edgar Centre, the Oval and the bus hub.
Bus Users Support Group Otepoti Dunedin co-president Alex King said the trial was a ''great idea''.
''It's something that needs to be done. I would expect it as part of normal operation.''
He heard of the infringements happening from ''time to time''.
''It's just a matter of people getting used to the fact that you can't park in bus stops.''
He often received feedback Dunedin drivers were especially impatient with slow-moving traffic, pedestrians, cyclists and buses.
''Whether that's true or not I don't know, but there would be some value in driver education campaign.''
