London motorists have contributed millions of pounds in bus lane penalties over the past year, with Transport for London collecting £6.6 million from drivers issued with fines during 2025/26.
The figures show that 54,761 motorists were penalised for entering bus lanes across the capital, representing a substantial increase from the previous year.
TfL, chaired by Labour peer Lord Khan, collected £4.3 million from 29,423 drivers in 2024/25.
Three years earlier, the figure stood at just £1.2 million from around 8,900 motorists.
Fine Income Has Increased Dramatically
The latest figures represent a 53 per cent increase in revenue compared with the previous year and a more than five-fold rise compared with the amount collected three years ago.
Based on London’s approximately 76 miles of bus lanes, the latest figures work out at roughly £87,177 in fines for every mile.
The annual haul is equivalent to more than £18,000 a day, or an average of over £750 every hour throughout the year.
The figures were obtained through Freedom of Information requests.
Drivers Face £160 Penalty Notices
Motorists who enter enforced bus lanes can receive Penalty Charge Notices of £160, although the amount is normally reduced to £80 when paid within the specified period.
Critics argue that some drivers enter restricted lanes for only a few seconds, while others say they may move into them to allow emergency vehicles to pass.
Motorists have also raised concerns about complicated road layouts, unclear signage and worn road markings, with some arguing that certain restrictions are too easy to breach accidentally.
Critics Accuse London Authorities of Targeting Drivers
The sharp rise in penalty income has prompted renewed criticism of London’s transport policies.
Tory shadow transport minister Greg Smith accused Labour politicians of placing excessive financial pressure on motorists, arguing that the capital had become increasingly difficult and expensive to navigate.
He said Londoners should be able to travel around the city without being continually burdened by financial penalties and other restrictions.
The criticism comes amid a broader political dispute over policies that opponents have labelled as hostile to drivers.
AA Warns of Growing Dependence on Fines
The AA has also criticised the increasing revenue generated from Penalty Charge Notices.
Luke Bosdet, speaking for the motoring organisation, argued that the latest figures demonstrated how road authorities were becoming increasingly dependent on penalty income.
He suggested that London was an example of a wider trend affecting cities and large towns across the UK, where motorists are facing growing numbers of charges and restrictions.
Khan Administration Faces Wider Motoring Backlash
The controversy surrounding bus lane fines follows several other measures affecting motorists in the capital.
The Ultra Low Emission Zone was significantly expanded under Khan’s administration, while the Congestion Charge has risen to as much as £21 a day.
Drivers have also faced new charges associated with river crossings, including tolls for the Silvertown Tunnel and Blackwall Tunnel.
Critics have described the collection of measures as part of a wider “war on motorists”, while supporters argue that such policies are intended to manage congestion, improve London’s transport network and address environmental concerns.
National Debate Over Parking and Motoring Charges
The controversy in London comes as similar proposals are being considered elsewhere in Britain.
Plans under consideration by ministers could increase the maximum parking penalty outside London from £70 to as much as £160.
There has also been debate over workplace parking levies, under which councils could charge businesses based on the number of parking spaces they provide for employees.
Meanwhile, uncertainty remains over future fuel duty policy amid pressure on motorists from rising fuel prices.
Boroughs Also Enforce Bus Lane Restrictions
Not every bus lane in the capital is monitored directly by TfL.
Some restrictions are enforced by London’s 32 borough councils, meaning the £6.6 million figure does not represent every bus lane penalty issued across the capital.
TfL was contacted for comment on the latest figures and the criticism surrounding the sharp increase in penalty revenue.
For motorists, however, the numbers have reignited a familiar debate over whether bus lane enforcement is primarily about improving traffic flow or has become an increasingly significant source of revenue for London’s transport authorities.
