COUNCIL vehicles have been caught in bus gates and bus lanes across Aberdeen more than 430 times in under four years – costing the taxpayer at least £13,000.
New figures from Aberdeen City Council show vehicles owned by the local authority have been snapped flouting their own rules on 432 occasions since 2021.
Despite enforcing the restrictions, the council has had to fork out at least £13,160 to pay fines from their own employees entering the no-go zones.
Since 2021, cameras on Union Street resulted in council vehicles being caught 123 times – the most out of any location in the city.
Other areas where council workers were caught in bus gates and bus lanes include Bedford Road, Broad Street, Guild Street, and the Lang Stracht.
In Aberdeen, bus lane enforcement charges are issued to motorists who are caught in the city’s bus gates. The charge can be discounted by 50% to £50 if paid within 14 days, after which the full amount is due.
Scottish Conservative North East MSP Liam Kerr, who has campaigned against the introduction of more bus gates in Aberdeen, said: “It’s disappointing that Aberdeen City Council isn’t practicing what it preaches on bus gates and bus lanes.
“The local authority’s own vehicles have amassed a staggering amount in fines, which is ultimately costing the taxpayer yet more money in addition to the huge sums which have been paid to set up these zones.
“These damming figures show that the council’s own employees are telling them that these measures are unworkable and preventing them from carrying out their day-to-day duties.
“Aberdeen City Council needs to get its own house in order on these restrictions, which are pushing traffic to other roads around the city centre and not solving congestion issues.
“The council must go back to the drawing board again and reconsider a lot of these measures which are turning Aberdeen into a ghost town instead of making our city centre welcoming and inclusive.”
