BUS LANE BULLETIN


VICTORY FOR COMMON SENSE AS TAXIS ALLOWED TO USE BELFAST BUS LANES OVER CHRISTMAS


In a bid to alleviate traffic congestion in Belfast city centre, particularly over Christmas, Infra- structure Minister John O’Dowd announced a temporary measure allowing taxis to use certain bus lanes. The Temporary Traffic Regulation allowed Class A and Class C taxis to use certain lanes, effective from 6am on 18 December. Announcing the move on 17 December, Minister O’Dowd said: “I


am committed to bringing forward measures which will help alleviate the traffic congestion in the city centre. I had previously announced my intention to introduce a pilot scheme to permit taxis to use city centre bus lanes to help support the industry and ease traffic. “My officials are continuing to carry out the necessary legislative work and the consultation period for that scheme will commence very early


in the new year. “DfI will continue to work closely with partners in the coming days and weeks. We all share a common goal of wanting to keep Belfast moving, while balancing the needs of everyone who needs to use the city’s roads and footpaths.” One of Belfast’s biggest taxi firms, Fonacab, had called for bus lanes to be opened up in a bid to help ease ongoing traffic congestion.


DERBY PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS FURIOUS OVER UNFAIR BUS LANE RESTRICTION


Private hire drivers in Derby are expressing anger and frustration over a city centre bus lane that they


claim is “ridiculous” and


“unfair.” The drivers argue that the bus gate restriction on Corporation Street is causing them to lose customers and get stuck in unnecessary queues. The road between Derby Council House and the Assembly Rooms is designated for buses, taxis, cyclists, and pedestrians between 7am and 7pm. Signs and cameras are in place


to enforce the


restriction, and motorists caught using the road during these hours face fines.


While the signs indicate that taxis are permitted to use the road, Derby City Council has confirmed that this does not apply to PHVs. The bus lane restriction has been in place since 2021 and has generated significant revenue for the council. Last year it was reported that the city council collected £1.7 million


PHTM JANUARY 2025


from CCTV-monitored fines in just over a year. Driver Lee Roach, with 25 years of experience, explained that the Assembly Rooms and Quad are key drop-off points, and the restriction forces them to take longer routes, increasing fuel costs and frustrating passengers. Adnan Khan, another private hire driver, echoed Roach’s concerns, emphasising that he is licensed by the council but is not allowed to use the bus lane, despite performing the same job as hackney carriage drivers. Several drivers have recently complained about the situation,


prompting their union represent- atives at GMB to get involved. Craig Thomson, a GMB union officer, expressed hope for a meeting with the city council to discuss these concerns. He highlighted that while the council has profited from fines, private hire drivers are facing unnecessary delays and increased costs. Derby City Council maintains that allowing private hire vehicles to use bus lanes could negate the benefits of the restriction. A spokesperson said that the Corporation Street scheme reduces traffic congestion, allowing buses to operate more efficiently and promote sustainable travel. The spokesperson added: “Hackney


carriages differ from


private hire vehicles, which can be confused with other cars. If private hire vehicles were allowed into the bus lanes, the sheer volume of these vehicles could negate the benefits for buses and potentially create congestion in bus lanes.”


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