About this bus lane
DfI lists this as operating galgorm road to north road link. Enforced by DfI using fixed CCTV cameras and a mobile CCTV camera vehicle; traffic attendants deal with vehicles parked in bus lanes.
The days and times are shown on the signs at the start of the lane and at intervals along it, and where no times are stated the lane operates 24 hours. As a general pattern DfI says Belfast city centre lanes run 7am–7pm Monday to Saturday and lanes outside the city centre generally run 7.30am–9.30am and 3.30pm–6.30pm Monday to Friday, but that is not confirmed lane by lane.
DfI states the legislation for most bus lanes also allows permitted taxis, motorcycles and bicycles — check the sign for the lane you are using. The Department for Infrastructure was asked for its bus lane operating times and answered in August 2026 with a table of about 65 locations; this one is not in it, so the hours here are still unpublished.
That table is not a complete list of what is enforced — it also leaves out Donegall Square South, which the department names elsewhere in the same response as a fixed camera site.
Who can use it
- Buses
This list may be incomplete. Department for Infrastructure (NI) does not publish which vehicles are exempt here, so the above is only what its own material confirms. Other vehicles may also be permitted. The sign at the start of the bus lane names the exemptions and is the legal authority.
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
Where exactly is it?
George Street, Ballymena — Galgorm Road to North Road Link. 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 George Street bus lane?
Department for Infrastructure (NI)'s published record gives the operating times of the George Street Bus Lane in Ballymena as “Not stated — check roadside signage” rather than a single time range, so the sign at the start of the lane is the definitive source.
How much is the fine for driving through the George Street 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 George Street bus lane?
Buses are permitted. Department for Infrastructure (NI) does not publish a full list of exempt vehicles for this bus lane, so others may also be permitted — the sign at the start of it names the exemptions and is the legal authority. Not permitted: cars, vans and lorries.
Can I appeal a PCN from the George Street 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. The Department for Infrastructure does not publish this bus lane's operating times centrally, which makes signage the decisive issue: the restriction has to be signed clearly enough to be understood on approach, and unclear signage is a recognised ground of appeal. Note that paying the £45 discounted rate accepts liability and closes the case, so challenge before you pay.