Just received a PCN for Wellington Street Leeds, offence timed at 20.00. The first photo with the PCN shows my car headlights with a possible road line under the N/S/F headlamp and possible double yellow lines about a car and a half width to the left of my N/S/F headlight. The rest is black. The second photo shows just my number plate in the top left hand corner of the photo, everything else is black. There are no other images in either photo that can be seen or identified. My point is that the images are not clear enough to determine exactly where I was in relation to the bus lane as the lane itself is barely distinguishable. I would appreciate any help/comments/advice. Thanks

Hiya!! I could do with someone's help! I am doing work experience at the moment and so driving a route that I'm not used to and don't automatically know the layout. On the first day of driving this way I was stuck in traffic (expected!). There was a bus lane to the left. I stayed in the traffic for about 400yds at which point I saw the bus lane stop. I knew that I was taking the next left so pulled into the other lane. It turned straight back into a bus lane but I was already stuck in it by then and had no option but to completely obstruct the lane as there was no room for any cars to allow me in or to continue the 20yds of the lane so given the options I continued. If I had intended to drive through the bus lane then I would have done the whole thing I feel that it was very misleading I could not see that the bus lane restarted at all from the traffic and there was no signs to indicate that it would. Is there anything I can do? I have attached pics of the lane, I can scan the pics with the PCN if needed. Thanks in advance

Hi All, I was following my satnav and it told me to go into a bus lane (one that you couldn't get out off once you were in). A policeman then pulled along side me and just politely informed CCTV would have picked it up and it expect a ticket. However, I've not long moved and my driving licence is still registered at my old address. I've got the form to change it but it might take a while. So I want to check if I have this ticket so that I can pay it before any late payment fines etc. However, DVLA say its not their jurisdiction, its the police or maybe transport for London. I've looked around and I can't find out who to contact. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks

Caught on camera in a bus lane yards from turning into my street. Comprehensive appeal shortlist specifically states (by omission) that if I swerve to avoid killing a family by entering a bus lane, I am liable to the fine. In fact ANY safety reason is excluded from appeal. I am not interested in looking for loopholes to avoid a fine or court, A serious safety reason made me enter the bus lane when I did, during an exceptional queue due to road works at the time. Recent meeting with LA reps and police highlighted the safety issue I speak of and as an advanced driver & rider with a full, clean license, I believe the police would support my view. Can anyone tell me if an appeal would/could be considered/successful in such a case? I can share more/other details if required, but in summary: Safety issues highlighted by the LA/police was the reason to fall short, by just a few metres, on entering a bus lane into my road, which is on a bend, causing a blind spot. Why would an LA fine you for being safe or avoiding an accident? I'd pay a few tenners rather than cause injury or more. I'm confused as to why they won't even consider it. Any feedback, advice, experience, especially speedily (as I just have a few days left before court and haven’t yet requested all evidence/video), would be appreciated. Maybe I should wait for court if I can’t appeal to the LA under their strict terms and put my case to a judge? Cheers, Steve

Hi, I stumbled across this forum whilst researching ways to appeal the PCN I have just been served with. As I understand, the Lendal Bridge bus lane fiasco is quite controversial (google brings up many irate articles). I lived in York last year for a few months and throughout that time, the bridge was open to all vehicles. On 9/9/13 however I was flat hunting in York as I'm planning to move back there and drove over the bridge unaware that it is now a restricted route for buses/taxis only between 1030 and 1700. The signs are poor - from the direction I took, I did not notice any new signage and my research showed that there in fact are NO new signs (apparently to avoid planning applications) and the sign that was in place is small and on the pavement next to a bus stop. I've found a photo that shows a double decker stopped at this bus stop would shadow the sign completely from drivers. In addition I did not notice any new relevant road markings. Whilst on this forum I also found something to do with the wording of the PCN - use of 'will' as opposed to 'may' in the following sentence: 'This Notice will be taken to have been served on the second working day after the day of posting (as shown on the right) unless you can show that it was not'. Have I a case to appeal?? Any advice welcome!! Nicola

Hi! I have just received two Bus Lane PCN's from Leeds CC on the same day. Both "offences" were captured by the same camera, on the same road, a mere 82 seconds apart. So essentially, two fines for the same alleged offence. Extortion. The mitigating circumstances are that I was in an area restricted to buses and taxis. I clearly remember the signage as I entered this area at 22.00 hours but I was unconcerned as I am a licenced private hire taxi driver working out of York. I was taking a fare from York to Leeds at the time. It appears from my online research this evening that only taxis that are licenced as hackney carriages by Leeds City Council are in fact permitted to use the areas restricted to buses and taxis. 1. As an out of town taxi I could not reasonably have been expected to know this. 2. In the City of York, where I am licenced, all taxis (both hackney & private hire) are permitted to use all bus lanes at all times. 3. The signage merely said buses and taxis. It did not say "hackney cabs licenced by Leeds City Council". 4. Two PCN's for the same error??? How to deal with this effectively and maximise chances of PCN's being rescinded? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Mistertaximan.

Hi All, Well its been quite a day, one to forget really but I need any help and advice I can get please. Just about to leave for work this morning, and this guy walks up, saying he has a warrant to collect money for a court fine I apparently got for a parking offence. He said he was a court officer from Marstens representing Northampton County Court. I was completely taken aback, as I did not know what this was about. I asked him to show me what documents he had but he would not. All he said was that I had to pay or he would seize my car. I kept it polite, and told him that until I knew what all this was about I was not going to pay anything and he certainly was not going to have my car. He then became quite agressive and told me that if I did not, he would call the Police and get me arrested. I had to go to work but I did get a reference number off him and then drove away whilst he told me he was calling the police and they would arrest me. Duly frightened, I emailed Northampton court ( or TEC as I was by this time doing some serious Googling) and asked them what all this was about. To my knowledge, the only parking problem I have had in the last 15 years is when I got a bill from a parking company accusing me of staying in a Tesco car park all day - that was sorted with a couple of emails and they dropped the fine. Fortunately, the TEC responded quickly, and told me I had to fill out a TE7 and a TE9. I contacted Manchester court for details, and apparently I was done for driving in a bus lane last January? I filled the forms out, and emailed them straight back - the TEC replied they have recieved them, they would send an email and will send the form back to Manchester court for them to look at this on the grounds I knew nothing about it. I also emailed the bailiffs with the email thread which confirmed this. Question please; where do I stand with all of this? This guy from the bailiffs was a nasty piece of work but can he still take my car and have me arrested? Frightened to go home at this point. Any help or advice would be really appreciated

Thought this may be of interest to others its from the Evening Times Article: http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/driver-wins-landmark-fight-over-bus-lane-fine-132374n.21791364 Colin Mackenzie was issued with the fixed pen­alty ticket in January for driving in a bus lane in Maryhill Road at Bisland Drive. But he argued the sign was misleading - because it showed the bus lane in the wrong part of the road. The 56-year-old, from Bearsden, who took his case to the parking adjudicator, has now received a letter from Glasgow City Council telling him his fine has been withdrawn. Mr Mackenzie's winning fight could set a precedent for other drivers who may have been unfairly punished because of misleading signage. The council has since removed the sign, but Mr Mackenzie urged drivers who have been caught in a city bus lane to challenge the decision. He said: "The council has a policy of zero tolerance towards people who are caught in bus lanes, but that works both ways. "If the signs do not comply then they can't fine people. It's as simple as that. "I hope this case helps other drivers to come forward and not accept a fine from the council. "I think the council should be taking the money they have made from the bus lanes and giving it to a good cause." Mr Mackenzie said he was not against bus lanes - but he had concerns over the way they are policed. The council launched its CCTV crackdown on bus lanes in April last year. Drivers are liable to pay £60 if they are filmed at sites where number plate recognition cameras have been installed. The fine is reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days. CCTV is installed at 11 locations on roads in the city, including North Hanover Street, Hope Street, Glassford Street and Argyle Street. Mr Mackenzie said: "Bus lanes are there for a reason and I support of them. "But it seems like this is a game to the council and a complete racket. "This is a secret tax and the whole system needs to be overhauled." A council spokesman said: "There are a number of signs and road markings clearly indicating this stretch of road is a bus lane. "An additional sign was recently introduced, and subsequently removed because it was not as clear as the rest of the signage and road markings." Figures revealed last week showed motorists in the city are paying £11,000 a day on average in bus lane penalties, more than three times the amount for drivers in Edinburgh and Aberdeen combined. A Freedom Of Information request showed 174,448 penalty notices were issued to motorists caught driving in bus lanes in the city between April 23, 2012, and July 4 this year, an average of 397 per day. As the Evening Times revealed in February, the council made more than £3.8million in fines in the eight months after the camera-backed enforcement was launched. Glassford Street, in the Merchant City, was the most prolific money-generating street after being responsible for £700,000 received after 28,000 drivers were caught.

Hello, I was wondering whether I can challenge the penalty notice I have received on the basis that there is no marking (solid line or dashes) on the road to indicate where the bus lane starts, there is only a BUS & BICYCLE ONLY writing on the road. Thanks Sean

Hi All, I received a PCN for driving in a bus lane which I think is massively unfair and should have never been issued. I'm planning to appeal but am looking for some advice on what I should include in the letter to ensure success! I've outlined the details of the 'offence' below. I'm looking for some advice on the best way to appeal a PCN for bus lane use that is most likely to be accepted. The PCN is for driving in a bus lane in Bath: 1 - I don't live in Bath anymore, I moved to Edinburgh in 2007 and was home visiting my parents. 2 - Last time I was home the bus lane was only operational at 'standard' times, it seems it has since changed to 24/7. 3 - In the photo you can clearly see I am moving back out of the bus lane (I'm right over to the right hand side of it) and that I have just passed 2 cars that were in 'my lane' i.e. the lane I should have been in as they've pulled out round a parked car. 4 - In the video online you can even see that I was in the right lane and moved over to avoid collision. 5 - While it is a 24/7 bus lane now the 'offence' occured at 18.55pm on Sunday 7th July (yes that's right, a Sunday evening!) no buses were in the bus lane at the time, in fact of the 4 buses that run along that road only 2 run as late as that on a Sunday, one has a stop there at 18.09 then the next one is not until 20.09 and the other has a stop there at 18.41 then the next not until 19.26 so I was 14 minutes after the nearest time to a bus being in that lane and 29 minutes away from the next one arriving!! 6 - Perhaps not quite as relevant but I had just driven 400 miles from Edinburgh, this was the last 3 miles of my journey. 7 - I have NEVER received a PCN before in my life, I have a clean license and am a responsible driver. If anyone can offer any words of advice so I can do my best to avoid the £30/£60 charge I would be most appreciative. I'm not disputing I was in the bus lane but I was there to avoid a collision and not obstructing any buses whatsoever! Kind regards Laura

I was caught in a bus lane on Clapham Park Road which I can see online is a common plight. I received a PCN (34J) from Lambeth Parking. Can anyone advise if I have any grounds to appeal? Specifically 1. does their footage need to show you passing all the signage including the blue 958 and 959 signs? I am looking at http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?395266-Driving-into-bus-lane-penalty where Newbie21 states: [must] prior to, and after enforcement, record the bus lane signs that the vehicle would have passed proving that the driver at the time the vehicle failed to comply 2. Does it need to show the DAY of the week? Mine only shows the date (29/06/2013). I have read in various forums that the Home Office Bus Lane Enforcement Handbook states: “Every image of the offence shall show, in addition to the offending vehicle, in the order given: the date in days, month, and year, the time in hours, minutes, and seconds, the day of the week, location and frame count from the beginning of the recording. The data shall be imprinted on the image or included in the violation record at the time the offence is recorded”. I can provide their footage (4 images and 1 clip), either by posting it here or (if deemed safe practice?) giving the details on http://lambethparking.co.uk/mypcn so someone better informed can view it. Of course my basic gripe is that the bus lane is not clear for anyone turning left (especially to someone from outside London, like me) and is a cash generator... but I suspect they have checked their signage and markings carefully. Thanks to anyone who can help!

If any one can help or advice this would be much appreciated. Received a PCN from Kingston Council for driving in a bus lane (well the wife, but still a fine)!!!!! Photos show our car in the lane but upon re visiting the road I took pictures and sent of an appeal, they have rejected it saying all is good and I am wrong. A copy of my letter is copied below and I have also copied two pictures of the bus lane. Any advice good or bad welcome. Should I now pay the fine and put this down to bad experience or should I continue the appeal and risk paying £130.00....Thank you in advance. Copy of letter : To whom this may concern, I was disappointed to have received in the post from your council a ticket stating I was driving in a bus lane at a time I should not have been. I wish to appeal on the following grounds : Layout of road and bus lane : The bus lane is part of a bus lane for vehicles travelling Eastbound from Kingston towards Tolworth. The bus lane starts along the Ewell Road just after the junction with Broomfield Road. At this point the sign indicates the bus lane is for use by buses only between -7pm Mon - Sat. The bus lane continues for approx 140 metres before it crosses the junction with Derby Road. Just after this junction there is another sign stating the same information with the bus lane continuing for a approx a further 80 metres. The road then has a traffic light controlled crossing on it. After this, Ewell Road meets a spur of Ewell road. At this junction for no apparent reason the bus lane suddenly changes from as mentioned to a higher restriction been Mon - Sat 7am-7pm for approx 70 metres. The bus lane continues over the junction with King Charles Road for approx 30 metres before ending and that bus lane enters a normal traffic flow lane with no more bus lanes in place for approx 1 mile at least for any buses travelling this direction. Grounds for appeal : 1. The road markings shown in the picture you have sent do not clearly mark out as a bus lane. Looking in detail at the image it appears to be extremely worn road paint and what should be a letter 'L' for lane appears to be a mixture of two letters, there can be no dispute that the road text is very worn and could not be stated at this moment in time of the alleged offence happening with the evidence put forward to me that the bus lane was clearly marked out at this point as such in regards to road paint. Please also see attached photo 'BUS1' which shows the bus lane and the text LANE is very worn with the 'E' almost non-existent. 2. There is no clear reason at all for the bus lane to change for the last 100 metres of its service from a 4-7pm to a 7am - 7pm. The fact that cameras point on this section of the bus lane would, in my opinion, be only for the reason to catch drivers out who have made an error. This is not the purpose of a bus lane. Bus lanes are to ensure the free flowing of buses in busy traffic areas. However, this section of road, all 100 metres of it are no busier than the previous 220 metres. The picture you have sent as evidence of an offence is clear in its self that no other traffic is visible, why would a bus lane suddenly need to be changed from a 4pm start down to a 7am start. There is insufficient traffic at this time of day to justify this and certainly no obstructions anywhere to cause a delay to the bus network. 3. There is absolutely no sign of any other vehicle at all present in either the bus lane or lane 2 of Ewell Road. There would be no benefit gained from me driving in the bus lane and certainly not something I have ever done or would do intentionally. 4. The front off side wheel of my car is pictured on the solid white lane, one second later the same wheel is pictured again and appears to have moved more towards entering lane 2. I have no knowledge of this day so cannot say either way if I continued on the lane or remained in it for its full 100 metres. 5. To make a bus lane legal and enforceable by a local authority, Bus lane sign 958 by law has to be displayed at least 30 metres before the start of any bus lane in a thirty mile per hour speed limit. The only sign before the start of this bus lane is 25 metres from the start of the bus lane taper at the junction with the spur of Ewell Road. I have copied a section from transportpolicy.org.uk which states the following 'At the start of the bus lane, one lane of traffic has to merge into the other lanes. If not enough distance is provided for this process then congestion will be formed at this point, rather defeating the point of having a bus lane. DfT (Department for Transport) guidance is a taper of no sharper a gradient than 1 in 10. This means that a 3m bus lanes requires a taper no shorter than 30m.' This is to highlight the fact that a taper part of a bus lane is referred to as a bus lane and therefore should be treated as a bus lane which would in this situation make the enforcement of this bus lane unlawful as the first and only sign prior to the start of the lane is less than 30 metres from the start of the prescribed lane. It should also be noted that your taper does not meet the required standard and for the bus lane which does measure 3 metres across the tape is only 18 metres, a shortfall of 12 metres. It should also be noted that there is plenty of road space to have the correct size taper painted but this has been painted not in respect to guidelines issued. 6. The following is cut and paste from 'Traffic signs manual chapter 3 regulatory signs (2008) isbn 9780115529252 : 15.12..... Where there is more than one bus lane along a particular length of road or within the same geographical area, the times of operation should be consistent, where possible, to avoid driver confusion. (NOTE - This is not the case with two very separate times in a very short distance) 15.9..... Advance indication of a with-flow bus lane is provided by the sign to diagram 958. Where the speed limit is 20mph or 30mph, the sign should be sited 30 m in advance of the lead-in taper formed by the road marking to diagram 1010, with a minimum clear visibility distance of 45 m (NOTE - YOUR SIGN IS 21 METRES BEFORE THE LEAD IN TAPER, short by 9 metres) 14.60....Research has shown that the greater the number of signs that drivers are presented with simultaneously, the greater the difficulty they are likely to have in assimilating all the information. The problem of dealing with information overload increases with age, so that older drivers suffer disproportionately. I would appeal to the person who has had to read this rather long and drawn out appeal to not pursue the fine requested of me to pay. If I had intentionally driven in a bus lane then this would be deserved. However, I did not and would not do this. I am a regular user of the bus network when time and journeys permit me to do so. However on this occasion I could not use a bus due to the distance and timing of the running event I was taking part in. I live just outside the Royal Borough of Kingston and visit at least once a week, also have family within the borough. I have never been issued with any fine or points at any time in my driving history. I look forward to a reply informing me of the current situation and should this ticket be continued I will continue to appeal on the grounds on unlawful sign positioning and incorrect road markings and unclear road markings. I am happy to be sent a copy of any material that you feel is suitable to prove this as incorrect and if pursued would like to receive a copy of the recording on this day, date and time showing clear road markings at this point with correctly posted road signs. Once again thank you for your time in reading this letter. I look forward to a reply in the near future. Regards Index : photo BUS1 - Shows bus lane where you supplied photo. Extreme worn markings with large pothole striking through the 'L'. The A also has damage to road surface with the E so faded it is almost unreadable. The two white lines at the beginning of the junction are barely visible. photo BUS2 - Close up of above picture which also clearly shows previous attempts to mark out causing additional confusing to drivers. photo BUS3 - Shows position of sign '958' which is meant to be 30 metres from start of lead but is in fact wrong and situated at only 21 metres from the start. This picture also shows a total of 11 road signs in a period of 90 metres. refer to point 6.14.6 in the appeal. photo BUS4 - As BUS3 photo but a view from the road. It is impossible to read all these signs at 30mph, a total of 11 road signs for road users in a period of approx 90 metres. Web link to Gov guidelines regarding bus lanes and the legality of operating them and making them lawful :https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/203665/traffic-signs-manual-chapter-03.pdf -page 130+

I was driving into London and entered a bus lane and received a penalty. I have checked the area using google maps and street view and would like to know if I can contest it. It happened at the end of London Bridge, going north. There are two lanes going north. At the point of trouble, both lanes have white road arrows indicating "straight ahead". However the left lane then veers left and the straight ahead portion becomes a bus lane. In my case I was misled by the straight arrow thinking it is safe to go straight, and then entered the bus lane and it was too late to brake. There are no other indications that the road ahead is for busses only, the only signs are placed past the entry into the bus lane. I attach two photos so you can see the situation. Can I contest this ticket in any way? Many thanks.

Hi Just received this PCN, I was under the impression that if it is broken lines on a bus lane (the car was at the end of the bus lane where there is a bus stop, as you can see in the photos) you can go move into a left hand lane, keeping traffic flowing without penalty? Obviously I must be wrong, because I got the ticket, but wanted to check. It's so annoying because I am normally so careful. Thanks in advance

My local council has sent a 'Pre court reminder' to us to pay £200, because we failed to send them back my child's free bus pass after she moved schools. I'll try to cut a long story short. My daughter got a free photo bus pass when she went to our local catholic grammar school. A month or so into her second academic year we decided to move her to another school in a different area a few miles away. We accepted that we would have to pay her bus fare for her journey to the new school. She started her new school and we were paying £5 a week bus fare. Two or three months later we got a bill from the council for £200 to cover the cost of the unused 'free' bus pass for the academic year. My wife called the council and told them we had no idea where it was and they told her to write to inform them to that effect. They said that they had written to advise us in November that we had to return the bus pass. As far as we're concerned we didn't get any such letter. Another couple of months passed and we get another bill for £200. At this point, we turned the house upside down and my daughter found the pass in a box under her bed. We sent the pass back by recorded delivery and thought that was the end of it. Today we have had a demand for £200, to be paid in 14 days, or they'll take us to court. My wife called the council and protested that we'd sent it back. They said said it was too late and we had to pay. They said that we had to pay for the pass to cover the period from the time she moved schools until the present and that, if we had paid by march 16th the matter would have been dropped. Again, we told them that we had never been told, whilst in the process of moving her, that we would have to hand the pass back. They told us that it says 'in the small print' on the back of the bus pass that we should hand it back in the event that she moved schools. We are being asked to pay for an unused free bus pass for a journey to a school that she doesn't attend, whilst we've been paying her bus fare to another school! How can I challenge this? They appear to be immune to reason. Am I imagining this, or is it crazily unreasonable? Would you read the small print on the back of a child's free bus pass? If anyone can advise us how to deal with this situation I would be very grateful. Kind regards

Dear all I've been done for driving into a bus route on Rye Lane, southbound - in Peckham. https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Rye+lane+peckham&hl=en&ll=51.467189,-0.066304&spn=0.000027,0.019248&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=52.637906,78.837891&hq=Rye+lane+peckham&t=m&z=16&layer=c&cbll=51.467253,-0.066402&panoid=PVlcaBOMg2k4M1lbKxv02w&cbp=12,134.24,,0,8.58 So I made a Representation on the following grounds: - Warning sign is severely defaced - It's the wrong warning sign (should be #877) - It's the wrong warning road-marking (should be #1037.1) - The warning signs should be 30m from the start of the bus-lane; they are less than 20m - The junction road-markings clearly indicate the main traffic flow as straight ahead, instead of bearing left per Figure 15-14 of the Traffic Signs Manual - Diagram 1048 (the "bus and cycle only" road text) are defaced as Southwark Council never bothered to remove the old road-lines To my surprise, given the number of errors I pointed out (and my letter to them was very polite, I promise) they rejected the Representation. Apparently because it's not a "bus-lane" but a "bus-route" the 30m warning requirement doesn't apply...so a "bus-route" needs less warning than a "bus-lane"??? Otherwise, no response to any of the points I raised. So I propose to go to Adjudication, citing (in addition to all points above) that they failed to respond to my submission in written detail. Any tips gratefully received...has anyone fallen foul of this ludicrously poorly-signed/marked bus-route before? Thanks Richard

As many others I've also fallen foul to this mo'fo! Basically, it was a genuine mistake, I was following the TomTom and wasnt looking properly, it said to turn left and I looked up n for some reason followed the black cab onto that lane, thrn it was an OH! SH1T! moment. tbh, I hardly used the lane. however, you may disagree. anything I can do? Heres the video link pics of PCN also attached Thanks

Hello there, I am new user here, I am seeking advises/helpful tips before I appeal to against PCN. What happened: On Saturday 23rd March 2013, at 19:01 (7:01pm), I was driving along Friar Street in Reading Town Centre to find restaurant place. I was taken into that route by Tom-tom Sat-nav (iPhone mobile version) to take me and 3 other passengers to that restaurant place in Friar Street from A33 northbound. When I got to entrance area, I braked and saw a not very clearly signs post (on the left side) as it wasn’t lit at that time, tried to work out to understand what is that sign trying to say and it took me a while to understand (as I am Cerebral Palsy user and got mobility problems) at the middle of square block. I managed to get picture of sign (red circle with car at bottom and motorbike above) wordings like ‘7am – 11am & 4pm – 7pm’. I looked at my car clock, it stated 19:01, I looked at rear mirror, there was a car driving behind me and felt I couldn’t stop my car otherwise car would hit me at rear therefore I had to continue driving down this street. While I was at that area, there was a few vehicles around which made me feel uncomfortable driving and something wasn’t quite right. Penalty Charge Notice Issued on 4th April 2013: On Friday 5th April 2013, I received Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) from Reading Borough Council saying my vehicle was ‘being in a bus lane’ at 18:59.54 on 23/03/2013. I felt that I wasn’t treat in correct ways by Reading Council and appeal to against this PCN due following points and by looking at photo/video evidences which supplied by Reading Council: - I was fined by 6 seconds early before 7pm (Council CCTV system timestamp). Who have the correct time? Council or me? - I even didn’t know that I was actually on the bus lane. Council placed incorrect signs displayed? - Left signs post wasn’t lit at that time which making me very hard to understand. Right signs post was lit but it too far to read. - Could not see ‘Bus Lane’ marker on the road in that time. On the photo, very clearly there was no ‘Bus Lane’ road marker and there was ‘Bus Stop’ road maker on the left hand side after traffic lights. - Could not see ‘CCTV’ signs around in that time. Even I didn’t know that I was actually monitored in this area. - Why my sat-nav Tom-tom didn’t detected this section as ‘bus lane’? It could be the following reasons (I will email to Tom-tom company to clarify): Maybe Tom-tom map haven’t updated that section? or Time of iPhone clock passed 7pm? or Reading Council didn’t inform the Sat-nav people? So, using these above information, is it worth for me to appeal this or not? as I felt I should do becuase there is no bus lane signs/road markers around that area? Thanks in advance Kindly regards

Hello, Today, I was caught on a bus using my sister's Oyster card (an 11-16 student card) when I myself am 18 and should be using a 16-18 student card, which I applied for many a few months ago which never came. My name and address were taken, and my sister's card was confiscated. The inspector mentioned that a letter would be sent asking me why I had used the card etc.? I didn't know that it was an offence as we are both students and I only used the Oyster card for free bus travel, so TFL were not loosing any fare from the action. Whilst googling for advice on the situation I stumbled upon this site and thought I might find some advice here. I'm really quite worried and any advice would be much appreciated. Regards.

Right or wrong? (Forget about the the 'licence excuse') Speaking as an ex-bus driver, I actually know the answer! http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/4859900/council-jobsworths.html

I read an earlier post that indicated the Leeds pcn's may be written out incorrectly. Can anyone here look over mine please and advise if I can challenge my recent pcn. http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n278/anjme/PcnLeeds_zpsa91e1201.jpg [ATTACH=CONFIG]42492[/ATTACH]

Hi I recently received a letter from London south east, south and central courts informing me that I owed £312 and had 10 days to pay in full to avoid various punishments. The letter mainly consisted of ways to make the payment with no information on the charge, so, I phoned the information line and found out that the fine stemmed from a bus fare in Camberwell on 20.8.2010 and I had to go though my local statutory court in order to progress, I was told the fine would be frozen for 28 days to allow me to appeal. So.. as far as I can remember this is what happened in 2010. For some reason I did not use/have my oyster card and paid the bus driver in cash and walked to my seat without taking the paper ticket. 5-10 minutes later 2 inspectors came onto the bus and wanted to see my ticket. I wasn't too concerned as I knew my ticket would be somewhere and the bus driver could verify that I had handed over the money. Unfortunately the paper ticket didn't turn up and the inspectors told me the drivers word was not enough (I witnessed the driver telling them I had paid and unsuccessfully looking for the ticket), they took my current address, we all got off the bus at my stop and it felt like we had come to an impasse. Eventually they said they would have to take my word for it and I left feeling the incident was resolved (which lasted until very recently). I believe what has happened is the TFL chose to fine me after all but I had moved house on 22.10.2010 and received no correspondence until now. What I would like to know is: 1. Do I have a chance to appeal the full payment? as a student I cant afford the £312. 2. What have I missed? what is TFLs procedure, if there was an original fine that was a reasonable amount could I pay that instead? (although even that feels a little unreasonable) 3. How do I even go about approaching my local court about this, the person on the information line was not very helpful I don't know if its relevant but I have had an oyster card with no penalties which I think dates back to roughly 2010 if that would help at all. Also I can prove the date I moved into a new address on 22.10.2010. Thanks for any help and I hope I'm posting in the right place and so on.

Hi All, When boarding my usual bus journey back from work last week, I tapped my Oyster on the Oyster card machine, it did not respond so I tried again (I had swiped correctly, with card flat against it). Prior to this, a lady in front of me had swiped her card several times and it also did not work for her - No beeps, Green or Red signals, so she went to sit down. I took her experience into account after I had tried swiping my card and informed the bus driver that the machine did not work (either she froze the machine or the machine was coincidently unresponsive for us both), he did not respond so I went to sit down (The lady and I was not stopped). About 15 minutes into my journey, a bus inspector got on, my Oyster was swiped and she informed me that my card had not been registered, I explained the incident to her and she took down my name and was asking for my address. Half way through her note-taking, I questioned whether she was issuing me with a fine. She said "No" and that it is just for "Back office checks" to see whether there is a fault with my card or the Oyster machine. I did not argue and was cooperative as I knew I was not guilty of any intentions to skip a bus fare, though I did ask whether we could check my card there and then (with every intention to pay my usual bus fare). She told me not to worry and that she would check with the bus driver. Suddenly , one of her colleagues came up to her and said they had to leave the bus at the next stop, she quickly said "Respond to the website within 21 days or you will get a fine" and handed me a folded leaflet with the website on and left. I opened up the leaflet to find a Penalty fare inside. I felt cheated as she had issued me a fare without me knowing and left the bus without checking with the bus driver as promised. I went downstairs to the bus driver and questioned him, telling him that he did not reply when I told him that the machine did not work. To this, he got defensive (I assume as he did not want to take responsibility) and said "No, no, no! I would have told you if your card had not swiped! You people do not swipe your card properly and this is what happens!" I angrily took down the bus details and went home to make a direct complaint to TFL and tried contacting IRCAS on the telephone. The number given on the IRCAS leaflet was an automated line, being frustrated not being able to get through to a real person, I decided to complain to TFL online through their CCTV and Bus Complaints links, requesting CCTV footage of the incident. I appealed to IRCAS and received a letter to say that my appeal has been turned down. This is the reason I was given: " When traveling on the bus, you must touch your Oyster card flat on the card reader on boarding the bus. It is your responsibility to touch in correctly and to check for the green light and single beep to ensure that your Oyster card has been validated. Failure to touch in correctly may result in the issue of a Penalty Fare." 1. I did touch my card correctly and swiped it twice to be sure. 2. It didn't work for the lady in front of me so I don't believe that we were both not accurate in our swipes. 3. I informed the bus driver who did not respond. 4. The bus inspector slyly issued me the penalty fare and mislead me with information. Anyone experience this kind of lousy service? The bus driver does not take notice of his passengers and the bus inspector saw me as an easy target just to fill her quota. I'm not exactly a trouble-maker but wanted to question the bus driver. I do not believe that I should be forced to pay the fine with a invalid reason that they had given me. It seems like they did not investigate the incident throughly and just sent me a letter of rejection. I have not heard back from TFL, anyone know how long (if they do) they take to get back to you? Do I have a leg to stand on if I appeal again? Please help!

Hello Gang I received a PCN notice for what looks like ended up to be an expensive trip to London. It seems like its a fair cop - they have a picture and silly me - i did stop in a bus lane!! However, the date of contravention was 02/02/13 and the date of notice is 21/02/13 - almost 3 weeks ago - is it still enforceable?? Its my only hope.. Thanks guys.. Regards, Jameson

Hi,im after a bit of help re:mobility bus pass, i got a 1 yr mobility pass which expires in a few weeks, ive re:applied for it again and was basically asked me the same questions over the phone but got a letter saying they had turned me down,so i am appealing the decission,and have to go to see a physio and been told they will examine my breathing, and walking (distance) and my medical history, im in receipt of dla care low rate, and not entitled to mobility high rate,which would mean i would automatically get a bus pass, basically id like some advice if anyone has actually been to one of these medicals,and what information do i need to take with me etc. thanks