23,000 drivers have been caught in two bus lanes in Birmingham already this year

There are the two bus lanes in Birmingham which have become notorious for the high number of drivers entering them and getting fined. And drivers have continued to have problems by the thousands this year.

Exclusive figures showed 23,000 drivers entered the two bus lanes in the first five months of this year, leading to fines. Drivers either ignored the signs and road markings or became confused by the road layout as they were being punished in their droves.

The two bus lanes are Moor Street Queensway (southbound to Digbeth) and Sheepcote Street. Despite becoming famous for the fines and warning signs and markings in place, the number caught doesn’t seem to be decreasing. Total offenses for 2023 were approximately 40,000.

READ MORE: 40,000 drivers caught out by these two bus lanes in Birmingham this year

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If the 2024 trend continues for the rest of the year, this total will be surpassed. The figures, obtained by BirminghamLive from the city council under freedom of information laws, showed that by the end of May there were 12,925 Penalty Notices (PCNs) at Moor Street Queensway and a further 10,091 at Sheepcote Street.

It means 156 drivers have misused the two bus lanes and been fined on average every day this year. The Moor Street Queensway bus zone was launched three years ago as part of major road changes in the city centre. But some drivers still haven’t thought about them or just decided to ignore them and take the risk.

Meanwhile, the cameras were switched on on Sheepcote Street in 2019. Since then, drivers have been fined in large numbers, the message apparently not getting through. These bus lanes have brought the city council millions of pounds.

Violators are hit with a £30 fine, doubling to £60 if not paid within 14 days. Only black buses and taxis can drive through them.

The expanded use of bus lanes in recent years has been part of the council’s drive to keep traffic free in city center areas and encourage the use of public transport. The two bus zones were by far the biggest earners for the council.

Elsewhere, 3,542 fines were issued for bus lanes along various sections of Bordesley Green East and 2,136 on St Martin’s Queensway towards Moor Street Queensway.