About this bus lane
Only buses and pedal cycles may use this lane, and the restriction runs at all times — there are no off-peak hours here, which catches out drivers who expect Northern Ireland bus lanes to be peak-only. It is the centre lane of the southbound carriageway, running from Castle Street to Castle Way, with a solid white line on each side.
Taxis and motorcycles are not exempt: the order permits buses and cycles only, so a taxi driver who would be allowed through a Belfast bus lane is not allowed through this one. 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 in the lane 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 1 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, Antrim — centre lane of the southbound carriageway, Castle Street to Castle Way. 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 bus lane?
The Dublin Road Bus Lane 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 bus lane?
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 bus lane?
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 bus lane?
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 lane 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.