From the start of this year to the end of last week the city council has raked in $378,530 from 5147 special vehicle lane infringement fines.
The fines include driving or parking in bus or cycle lanes.
The $378,530 collected so far this year is an increase from the $263,120 collected from 2821 fines last year.
Motorists can be fined $150 for driving more than 50m along a bus lane, those who park in a bus lane between 7am and 9am or 3pm and 6pm can receive a $60 fine and be billed for any towing costs.
The city council has enforced parking and driving in special vehicle lanes since 2009.
However, between 2012 and 2017 it only issued infringements for parking in special vehicle lanes after the cameras which monitor them were damaged in the 2011 earthquakes.
City council transport operations manager Steffan Thomas said the city council special vehicle lanes were enforced to discourage motorists from using them during peak times.
“This improves bus travel times and ensures our public transport service remains safe and efficient. Cycle lanes provide a safer environment for cyclists, rather than competing for road space with other vehicles,” he said.
Mr Thomas said the city council monitored vehicle lanes through CCTV, mobile camera and mobile patrols.
He said the money collected from the fines was directed into the parking compliance unit’s budget.
Parked in special vehicle lane
(Year – number of fines – revenue)
2009 – 183 – $8,820
2010 – 1297 – $63,360
2011 – 683 – $34,540
2012 –908 – $48,280
2013 – 911 – $46,930
2014 – 623 – $34,030
2015 – 781 – $40,860
2016 – 863 – $44,060
2017 – 724 – $36,040
2018 – 951 – $54,020
2019 – 1592 – $70,280
Driving in a special lane
2009 – 737 – $78,450
2010 – 2395 – $240,150
2011 – 223 – $14,700
2012 – 0 – $0
2013 – 0 – $0
2014 – 0 – $0
2015 – 0 – $0
2016 – 0 – $0
2017 – 0 – $0
2018 – 1870 – $209,100
2019 – 3555 – $308,250
