About this bus only street
Only buses and pedal cycles may use this stretch, at all times of day, every day. It is the eastern lane of the southbound carriageway of Dublin Road, running from Castle Way down to the service road into Market Square, bounded by a solid white line on the west and the kerb on the east.
Two points of naming to be aware of. The Department for Infrastructure lists this site as a bus-only street running eastbound, while the order that creates it describes a bus lane on the southbound carriageway; the practical effect is the same — everything except a bus or a cycle is prohibited — but do not rely on the compass direction in the published list.
Taxis and motorcycles are not exempt, unlike most Belfast bus lanes. A bus here means a vehicle built or adapted to carry more than 8 passengers, not counting the driver.
A bus or cycle may stop only long enough to let someone on or off, and never for more than two minutes. You may still drive here where it is genuinely necessary to avoid an accident, to reach premises next to the lane or reachable only from it, to clear an obstruction, in an emergency by a doctor or for police, military, fire and rescue or ambulance purposes, or on Departmental business.
The penalty is £90, halved to £45 if you pay within 14 days.
Transcribed from The Bus Lanes (Dublin Road, Antrim) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014 No. 128), made 7 May 2014 and in operation from 28 May 2014, Articles 2 to 5 and paragraph 2 of the Schedule.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Pedal cycles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Motorcycles
- Taxis
- Private hire vehicles
Where exactly is it?
Dublin Road to Market Square, Antrim — eastern lane of the southbound carriageway, Castle Way to the Market Square service road. View on Google Maps →
Got a PCN from this camera?
Don't panic, and don't ignore it. Pay £45 within 14 days to halve the charge — or if the signage was unclear, the details are wrong, or you had a genuine reason to be in the lane, consider challenging it first. Our step-by-step appeal guide covers the grounds that actually win.
Frequently asked questions
What are the operating times of the Dublin Road to Market Square bus only street?
The Dublin Road to Market Square Bus Only Street in Antrim operates 24 hours a day, every day. There is no time of day when general traffic may use it.
How much is the fine for driving through the Dublin Road to Market Square bus only street?
Department for Infrastructure (NI) issues a Penalty Charge Notice of £90, reduced to £45 if paid within 14 days. There are no penalty points — it is a civil penalty.
Who is allowed to use the Dublin Road to Market Square bus only street?
Buses and pedal cycles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries, motorcycles, taxis and private hire vehicles.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Dublin Road to Market Square bus only street?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Bus lane PCNs in Northern Ireland are issued by APCOA on behalf of the Department for Infrastructure, so your representations go to the Parking Enforcement Processing Unit rather than to a council. If the Parking Enforcement Processing Unit rejects them it must issue a Notice of Rejection, and you can then appeal free within 28 days of that rejection to the Northern Ireland Traffic Penalty Tribunal. Its adjudicators are lawyers independent of the enforcing authority, and their decision is binding on both sides. This bus only street operates 24 hours, so "I was outside the operating times" is not open to you — the grounds that win here are that your vehicle was exempt, that the details on the PCN are wrong, or that the signage did not make the restriction clear. Note that paying the £45 discounted rate accepts liability and closes the case, so challenge before you pay.