Bus lanes

How do I pay?

Pay online

• Telephone: 0300 111 8000
• Post: Send a cheque with your full name, address and penalty charge notice number (starting with the letters GE) to:

Parking Services, 
PO Box 2994, 
Stoke on Trent, 
ST4 9FG

How much will I be fined?

A bus lane fine is £60. If this is paid within 14 days of the date of service then the charge is reduced to £30.

If you have not paid after one month, you will also be billed for all additional costs of recovering your debt.

How can I appeal the charge?

You can appeal against the charge if:

• The offence did not occur
• The same offence has been the subject of a fixed penalty notice or is the subject of criminal proceedings
• You were not the registered owner/keeper of the vehicle at the time of the offence
• You were not the hirer of the vehicle at the time of the offence
• The penalty charge notice exceeded the relevant amount
• You were the registered owner/keeper of the vehicle at the time of the offence but it was:
  • On hire to a driver who had signed a statement taking liability
  • Kept by a motor trader
  • Taken without the consent of the owner

We may also consider other appeals if the registered keeper/owner feels that there are other circumstances.

Appeals can be made in writing to:

Parking Services, 
PO Box 2994, 
Stoke on Trent, 
ST4 9FG

Alternatively you can send it via email to: parking@stoke.gov.uk

You will need to clearly state your penalty charge notice number starting with the letters GE and your full postal address. Please state your case clearly and simply and include with your appeal copies of any evidence that will support your case.

No appeals will be accepted via telephone or in person. If we reject your appeal then you will still have the choice to go to an independent adjudicator who will consider your case impartially.

Can I pay and still appeal?

No. If you pay the charge, you cannot appeal. Only pay if you do not want to dispute it.

When can I use a bus lane?

You can only use a bus lane if:

• A police officer in uniform tells you to.
• You need to make way for an emergency vehicle.
• You are crossing the bus lane to enter or leave a road.
• You need to avoid danger, like a crash or debris.
• Something happens that you cannot control.

Why do we enforce bus lanes?

We enforce bus lanes to make sure they work properly. This helps:

• Buses run on time.
• Bus journeys are quicker.
• More people use buses, which reduces traffic and pollution.

What is the bus lane enforcement policy?

We follow the law and an approved policy for Staffordshire.

How do I know if a road has a bus lane?

Bus lanes have:

• Clear signs and road markings with the words “bus lane”.
• Blue signs showing if bikes, motorbikes or taxis can use the lane.

Check the signs at the start of the bus lane. Some lanes only operate at certain times. These times will be shown on the signs.

Who can use a bus lane?

Usually only buses. Sometimes bikes, motorbikes and taxis can use them. Check the signs.

A bus is a vehicle built to carry more than 8 passengers. Some lanes are only for local buses that run on a timetable.

What gives us the right to enforce and create bus lanes?

• The Transport Act 2000 lets approved councils issue fines for bus lane offences.
• We were approved under the Bus Lane Contraventions Order 2007.
• Bus lanes are created using traffic regulation orders under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
• We are part of the Bus Lane Adjudication Service.