Bus Given Parking Ticket…At Bus Stop!

A bus has been given a parking ticket whilst at a bus stop in Market Harborough town centre.

Operator Centrebus have branded it ‘absolutely ridiculous’ after a warden slapped it on the number 44, while the driver went to buy a drink.

The bus was given a parking ticket while at the bus stop on The Square   Pic: © Hfm

The company say the driver left the bus at the stop on The Square for around five minutes on Monday morning and is to appeal the £70 fine.

Mick Rossiter, Operations Manager for Centrebus Leicester told Hfm: “To ticket a bus in a bus stop is utterly ridiculous.

“Many of our services have ‘lay-over’ time which requires buses to remain at bus stops for a short period of time.

“The driver had literally left it for a few minutes.

“During the pandemic our drivers are working very hard to get people around, along with the risks associated with that, and this is the last thing they need.

“I have appealed the ticket.”

Leicestershire County Council is responsible for parking enforcement – Cllr Trevor Pendleton, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Our parking officers are trained to observe parking offences and establish whether there is a legitimate reason for issuing a parking penalty.

“In this instance, the bus was parked at a bus stop unattended and therefore a ticket was issued. Buses are permitted to stop in designated areas to allow passengers to board or exit the vehicle and there are designated bus stands available close by for buses not in service.

“Vehicle drivers/owners have the opportunity to appeal against penalties and all cases are considered on an individual basis. A written explanation is given when requests for cancellations are not accepted and drivers then have the option of appealing to an independent tribunal.”