About this bus lane
The restriction operates 7.30am to 9.30am and 4.30pm to 6pm, Monday to Friday. This is the Finaghy section of Upper Lisburn Road.
DfI records the permitted classes here as "Class B&D taxis only and buses" — Class B is a wheelchair-accessible taxi, Class D a scheduled-route taxi. DfI does not record in this Annex whether pedal cycles and motorcycles are signed at this lane; NI bus lanes admit them where the sign says so, so check the sign at the start of the lane.
DfI names its fixed camera sites as Great Victoria Street, East Bridge Street, Donegall Square South, Donegall Square East and College Square East. This location is not one of them, so enforcement here is by the mobile CCTV vehicle and is not continuous — DfI says deployment is decided by operational need.
The Department for Infrastructure supplied the hours and permitted vehicle classes for this location in Annex 1 to its response to information request DFI/2026-0452, answered 17 August 2026 under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Permitted taxis (Class B and D only)
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?
Upper Lisburn Road, Belfast — Inbound. 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 Upper Lisburn Road bus lane?
The Upper Lisburn Road Bus Lane in Belfast operates 7.30am to 9.30am and 4.30pm to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Outside these hours, general traffic may use the road normally.
How much is the fine for driving through the Upper Lisburn 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 Upper Lisburn Road bus lane?
Buses and Permitted taxis (Class B and D only) 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 Upper Lisburn 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. The grounds that win here are that your vehicle was not in the bus lane during its operating times (7.30–9.30am / 4.30–6pm Mon–Fri), that it was an exempt vehicle, 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.