About this bus lane
This road has 4 separate bus lane stretches, including more than one in the same direction. Each has its own hours — check the sign at the start of the stretch you are in.
| Direction | Operating times | Who may use it |
|---|---|---|
| Northbound | 7am to 7pm, every day | buses, cycles and authorised vehicles |
| Northbound | 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm, Monday to Saturday | buses, taxis (black cabs) and cycles |
| Southbound | 7am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday | buses, taxis (black cabs) and cycles |
| Southbound | 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm, Monday to Saturday | buses, taxis (black cabs) and cycles |
Two of the four bus lane cameras Hackney operates are on this road: one at the junction with Well Street, watching southbound traffic since 2008, and one at Wilton Way, watching northbound traffic since August 2023.
Hours and permitted vehicles from Transport for London's official London bus lane database (open data, last updated February 2026). Confirmed against Hackney Council’s response to a freedom of information request (reference 47924974, 3 September 2026), in which the council listed every bus lane location it enforces by camera.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Black cabs (hackney carriages)
- Pedal cycles
- Authorised vehicles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Private hire vehicles
- Motorcycles
Where exactly is it?
Mare Street (northbound and southbound), Hackney, London. Open the exact location in Google Maps → Pin from Transport for London's own bus lane dataset.
Got a PCN from this camera?
Don't panic, and don't ignore it. Pay £80 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 Mare Street bus lane?
Hackney Council's published record gives the operating times of the Mare Street Bus Lane in Hackney as “Varies by direction — see notes” 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 Mare Street bus lane?
Hackney Council issues a Penalty Charge Notice of £160, reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days. There are no penalty points — it is a civil penalty.
Who is allowed to use the Mare Street bus lane?
Buses, black cabs (hackney carriages), pedal cycles and authorised vehicles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries, private hire vehicles and motorcycles.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Mare Street bus lane?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Hackney Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Hackney Council rejects them it must issue a Notice of Rejection, and you can then appeal free to the Environment and Traffic Adjudicators at London Tribunals. Its adjudicators are lawyers independent of the enforcing authority, and their decision is binding on both sides. Hackney Council 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 £80 discounted rate accepts liability and closes the case, so challenge before you pay.