Drivers warned over bus lane scam – make sure you’re not caught out

DRIVERS are being warned about a bus lane scam - and how to make sure they don't get caught out.

In an eight-month period alone more than 45,000 motorists were slapped with a £30 fine for driving in a Birmingham bus lane.

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The ticket doubled to £60 if it was not paid within 14 days.

But the council has now warned fake fines letters are arriving in residents' letter boxes, with drivers phoning a number and assuming they're paying the council.

However, it's actually a scam number and nothing to do with the authority.

It's now warning drivers to double-check the fines they receive are legitimate by asking for evidence of them behind the wheel, using the lane.

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The Birmingham City Council monitors a number of bus lanes with cameras, and hands out tens-of-thousands of tickets a year to drivers who stray into the lane.

Only buses and black cabs can use the lanes, and between January and September last year 46,008 were slapped with a fine for using one on Moor Street Queensway.

But the council warned more scam fines are being handed out.

A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council said: “We have been made aware that some residents have been receiving fake Bus Lane Charge Certificates through the post, encouraging them to make a payment for a penalty charge via an automated telephone number.

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"Having reviewed copies of these notices, we have confirmed that the telephone number quoted does not belong to Birmingham City Council and the notices have not been issued by us.

“If you do receive a charge certificate via post, please visit to check that the notice is genuine, by entering the PCN reference number and the vehicle registration number.

"If the charge certificate is genuine, you will be able to view a copy of the evidence relied upon to issue the notice.”

The council stood by the importance of the lanes, and said: "The bus lane enforcement camera is an important tool to keep buses moving to schedule and any revenue generated from fines in ringfenced to fund transport network improvements.

"All bus lanes have clear signage, with available routes to avoid the restriction also communicated where applicable.

"Birmingham City Council’s clear message remains: cross the line, pay the fine."