Bus Users UK has criticised recent media coverage of ‘lucrative’ bus lanes.
The stories, following Freedom of Information requests by the BBC, highlighted the amount of money generated by bus lane cameras in areas throughout the UK. Bus Users UK Chief Executive, Claire Walters, said that while some bus lanes could be better signposted, she believed many motorists are simply prepared to take the risk.
She said: “The easiest way to avoid the cost of a bus lane fine is not to drive in one.
“75% of public transport journeys are taken by bus, which has the added advantage of reducing pollution and congestion in our town and city centres. It would be counter-productive, then, not to give the bus priority, in favour of single-occupancy vehicles that increase congestion and, in the case of diesel engines, cause the greatest pollution.”
Bus Users said it would like the media to recognise the benefits that buses and bus priority measures have on urban areas.
Claire added: “Motorists have to accept that using bus lanes to escape the congestion they help to create carries penalties. If they really want to avoid delays on their daily commute, they should leave the car at home and take the bus.”
