New bus lane Fines of up to a day’s wage after shock increase

From May 31, bus lane fines will be increased in areas outside of London. Drivers are warned.

It has been pointed out that the new fine is equal to the daily wage of a person earning the national minimum wage.

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Fines, currently £60 as decided by ministers, are increasing by 17%.

This brings the new total to £70, which is one day’s wages if you are earning £9.50 an hour at the lower national minimum wage.

Ministers have been accused of “declaring war on motorists” in the face of the current cost of living crisis and rising fuel prices.

Speak with the rulersRoad Minister Baroness Vere delivered the unwanted news.

She said: “We are increasing bus lane penalties by £10 to match higher level traffic violations and parking offences.”

The move has been widely criticized by automakers, who feel the rising costs are coming.

AA President Edmund King said the price increase was equivalent to a day’s wages.

He added: “Bus lane fines are expected to increase by more than double the already rampant inflation (7 percent).

“With so many people’s finances on the brink, losing a day’s wages because they accidentally walked into a bus lane could push many over the edge.”

The Department for Transport said: “Robust traffic enforcement reduces congestion and deters unsafe drivers.”

In London, where it is handled by Transport for London, bus lane fines are much higher and currently stand at £160, or £80 if the fine is paid within two weeks.

A recent report said councils took in £73.7m from bus lane fines between March 2020 and March 2021, of which £38.7m was profit.