Drivers get a month to test council's 50m markers

Photo / Dean Purcell

A trial of markers to help motorists legally use bus lanes will take the whole of next month.

Auckland City Council promised the trial in response to public anger over $150 fines for lane infringements.

Motorists complained about a lack of public awareness and signs and the difficulty of estimating the 50m mark where they were allowed to enter a bus lane for turning into an intersection.

On Monday, council transport chairman Ken Baguley said the trial with markers on trouble spots would begin as early as this week.

But the council's group manager for parking, Dale Clements, said yesterday that preparations were well advanced for the trial to start next week.

A research firm would be employed to help conduct the trial in two forms - signs to warn people that enforcement officers were using video cameras to prove infringements on the lanes, and a 50m line indicator.

Mr Clements declined to say on which trouble spots the trial would be held - to preserve the integrity of the trial.

Results and staff recommendations would go to the September meeting of the transport committee.