Something I've noticed a lot of recently are hired minibuses (and in some cases private hire minibuses, if you catch the distinction) using the bus lanes. Just checked, and no, they're not allowed to do that.will pay closer attention to number plates next time.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
Private or Hire Minibuses in Bus lanes
(15 posts)-
Posted 9 years ago #
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Sure? From memory if it's above a certain number of seats (10 rings a bell) then you're OK in a bus lane as long as the lane isn't specifically marked "local".
I've certainly driven minibuses in bus lanes before and not had any tickets through. Admittedly said vehicles also had St John Ambulance branding across the back, but that doesn't normally deter tickets (nor should it).
Posted 9 years ago # -
Hmm, maybe they fall into 'public service vehicles'? The list from the Council.
Vehicles that can use bus lanes (from 5th October with the move to allow motorbikes to use them, the others are as they were) are
public service vehicles, such as Lothian and First buses
taxis but not private hire cars
motorbikes
pedal cyclists
emergency service vehiclesPosted 9 years ago # -
Pretty sure it's service buses - ie ones that you buy a ticket to use so (for instance) a bus service to Inverness even if it didn't stop in Ed after the bus station, but not a 'coach tour of the Highlands'.
Worth checking.
Posted 9 years ago # -
This may be relevant
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/3113/regulation/23/made
Certainly a charity I am involved with operates a minibus which uses bus lanes without problems.
Posted 9 years ago # -
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/3113/regulation/22/made
motor vehicles constructed or adapted to carry more than 8 passengers (exclusive of the driver); and
(b)local buses not so constructed or adapted;Posted 9 years ago # -
Interesting, the legislation is pretty clear, though I wonder if that can then be adapted for greater restriction by local councils because the list from the council just doesn't tie up...!
(and especially since they clearly have the power to allow motorbikes, which the legislation doesn't permit).
Posted 9 years ago # -
Any vehicle with eight or more passenger seats can be driven in a bus lane unless it is marked 'local buses only'
Posted 9 years ago # -
Shouldn't really have expected the list from the council to be correct, should I?
So a hire company (like Europcar) minibus, which carries more than 8 passengers) even when empty but for the driver (as I saw the other day) is perfectly legal in a bus lane. Which is weird.
Posted 9 years ago # -
This would be the bit of legislation that allows Rabbies Rubberburners, Haggis Tours and their chums the right to aggressively bully their way around the bus lanes (with the exception of that "local buses only" bit at West Maitland Street)
Posted 9 years ago # -
A friend used to drive a long wheel base landrover and said he could drive in a bus lane as it had 10 seats - so was the same as a mini-bus.
He also later found out that he wasn't old enough to drive a car with that number of seats.
CEC's attitude to "private hire cars" was that somebody from a distance couldn't tell if they were taxi's or not and would encourage more car drivers to attempt to drive in the bus lanes.
Posted 9 years ago # -
This is why the Lothian Buses greenway patrol vehicle is (or used to be) a Transit minibus.
Posted 9 years ago # -
So if my husband has, for example, a long wheelbase Defender with the old style rear seats (seats 12), he is allowed in the bus lanes? Awesome... Must tell him!
Posted 9 years ago # -
We had a similar debate three years ago (kicked off by W'sC ;) )
Posted 9 years ago # -
Clearly I have a bee in my bonnet about this.
And a terrible memory.
And a bee in my bonnet about this.
Posted 9 years ago #
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