9 May 2025
File Ref: IRC-8334
Bob Derrickson
[FYI request #30731 email]
Tēnā koe Mr Derrickson
Thank you for your request dated 15 April 2025 to Te Kaunihera o Pōneke | Wellington City
Council (the Council) requesting the fol owing information:
•
Please provide a breakdown of the number and value of bus lane infringements
issued weekly (or daily if available) separately for each of the bus lanes in Wellington
City.
Your request has been considered under the Local Government Official Information and
Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA).
Bus Lane Camera Project:
The Council has been making progress with the rol out of static cameras to monitor key bus
lanes in the city. Bus lanes are a critical component of Wel ington's Transport strategy. They
efficiently transport large numbers of passengers, reducing vehicle numbers at peak travel
times.
In June 2024, the Council announced the rol -out of static bus lane cameras and started an
educational campaign. Since June, we have shared information across council channels
ahead of the go-live of each new camera location, to give the public a heads-up and to help
refresh on how to use bus lanes.
This has included:
•
A
website that has been live since June 2024, with information and regular updates
on the rol -out of fixed cameras and locations.
•
The production of a
educational video published on the Council website and
YouTube.
•
Email notification to taxi companies.
•
Media releases and stories on Our Wel ington.
•
6 December 2024 – Progress on bus lane camera rol -out – and when it’s ok
to use a bus lane.
•
5 June 2024 – New fixed bus Lane cameras and when it’s OK to use a bus
lane.
•
A variety of social media posts and advertisements
Bus Lane Rules:
Rule 2.3(1)(f) of The Land Transport (Road User Rules) 2004 prohibits vehicles from using a
special vehicle lane. The only exception to this is for vehicles that need to briefly use the
lane for 50 meters or less to turn into another lane, street or driveway.
There are two types of bus lanes:
• Bus lanes can be used by buses, bicycles, motorcycles/scooters, and in-service taxis.
Al other vehicles can use these lanes briefly (up to 50 metres) to cross through to
another lane or turn into another street or driveway.
• Bus-only lanes can only be used by buses.
Emergency vehicles may use both types of bus lane when responding to an emergency.
When introducing bus lanes operating times to drivers, the Council’s Transport Team ensure
that there is adequate signage that complies with the New Zealand Transport Agency traffic
control devices manual. However, it is ultimately the responsibility of a licensed driver to
comply with the road rules.
Other requests for Information:
In response to requests from members of the public, we have recently published this
list of
locations of al bus lanes and bus only lanes.
Bus Lane Camera Data:
Please see appendix one for all Bus Lane Camera data including infringement cost. Please
note that your request for data to be broken down weekly has been refused under section
17(f) of the LGOIMA, that the information cannot be made available without substantial
collation or research. Breaking the information down into weeks would take officers away
from their daily duties as would have to review a large volume of infringements for all bus
lanes in Wel ington. To support your request, that Council does hold this information in a
monthly format; this has been provided to you in the same appendix.
Important information to note:
• There wil be some variance between these numbers as this reflects the lifecycle of a
ticket, whereby a person issued with an infringement has up to 54 days to appeal the
matter with Wellington City Council’s Parking Resolutions team. During this time,
infringements may be reviewed and cancel ed if found to have been incorrectly
issued or circumstances that would warrant a warning, which can result in changes to
the overal numbers.
• Infringement costs for driving in a bus lane is a flat rate of $150 per ticket issued. This
fee is set out by central government in the Land Transport (Offences and Penalties)
Amendment Regulations 2004.
• Tripod enforcement was restricted to staff availability and was operating for a period
of two hours at a time. Static camera enforcement is operational during the periods
when the bus lane they monitor are in use.
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Below are the documents that fal in scope of your request and my decision to release the
documents:
Appendix Document Name
Decision
1
Bus Lane Camera data
Release
Please note, we may proactively release our response to your request with your personal
information removed.
You have the right, by way of complaint under section 28(1) of the LGOIMA, to request an
investigation and review of the Council’s decision by the Ombudsman. Information about
how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800
802 602.
If you require further information, please contac
t official[email address].
Nāku noa, nā
Asha Harry
Official Information & Privacy
Wel ington City Council
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