Auckland Transport says it will investigate after a bus was photographed mounting the footpath.
An image snapped in Auckland's Cockle Bay on Thursday shows the Howick & Eastern bus turning left at an intersection. But instead of following the road, the bus appears to mount the footpath, creating a serious safety hazard for pedestrians.
New Zealand Transport Agency's road user guide states a "driver must not drive a motor vehicle along a footpath". It's also prohibited for a vehicle to drive on a "lawn, garden, or other cultivation adjacent to, or forming part of, a road".
Auckland Transport is responsible for all of the region's transport services excluding State Highways - from roads and footpaths, to cycling, parking and public transport.
Spokesman James Ireland told Newshub Auckland Transport "expects bus drivers to abide by all road rules". He said safety is Auckland Transport's "number one focus".
But with bus and transit lanes turning into a trap for unsuspecting drivers, Auckland Transport would do well to ensure bus drivers don't break road rules, particularly when Auckland Transport raked in $11 million in infringement fines in just a year.
"Auckland Transport will be contacting the bus company [Howick & Eastern Buses] to ensure its drivers are told that they must obey the road rules," Mr Ireland said.
New Zealand bus drivers have drawn attention recently after around 120 Waikato Go Bus drivers went on strike last Tuesday over what they say is unfair pay and working conditions and unsafe buses.
Auckland bus drivers planned to strike in April, but it was called off after public transport operator NZ Bus and the unions representing drivers struck a deal. A two-year contract was agreed on by NZ Bus and First Union.
Newshub.
