Ambulance crews regularly use bus lanes in order to avoid traffic and speed up journeys for patients needing vital care.
Although ambulances are permitted to use bus lanes when their blue lights and sirens are in use, many crews are being issued with fines for using these lanes in non-emergency circumstances.
Ambulances and patient transport service vehicles regularly transport people to life saving procedures including for dialysis and cancer treatment. Simply trying to avoid congestion and get patients to their essential treatment as quickly as possible, has resulted in crews being issued with costly fines. We think this is wrong.
In November 2021, UNISON met with Transport for London to discuss our campaign aims. TfL confirmed they are in the scoping stage of a pilot to permit the use of bus lanes by ambulances and patient transport service vehicles in Central London. The union has request ongoing engagement on the project.
What is UNISON campaigning for?
UNISON is calling on councils to:
- Conduct a full review of their existing policy for issuing Penalty Charge Notices against ambulances in non-emergency situations.
- Commit to legislative change, extending exemption for bus lane penalties to include ambulance vehicles and patient transport services in all circumstances.
- Stand in solidarity with ambulance crews and encourage neighbouring authorities to support the campaign.