No London buses run on December 25, yet Lambeth Council still sent Max Pacey a £130 penalty charge notice (PCN) for using the lane in Norwood Road, Herne Hill.
The key worker, who was travelling from home in Croydon to his afternoon shift in Brixton, has now accused the council of wanting to make “some quick cash”.
He pointed out that parking restrictions do not apply in Lambeth on Christmas Day, and that it is the one day of the year that other local councils and Transport for London (TfL) do not enforce bus lanes.
Max appealed the fine, which is reduced to £65 if paid within two weeks, but had not heard back from the council when he spoke to Your Local Guardian earlier this week.
“Having to leave my family, and work on Christmas day is bad enough, now I’m another £65 down,” he said.
“On Lambeth’s website it says bus lane enforcement is about keeping buses moving and reducing congestion but there weren’t any buses to keep moving.
“The only reason I can come up with for why they’d be enforcing bus lanes on Christmas is because people will Google if bus lanes are being enforced, find out TFL don’t enforce them, and they can make some quick cash.”
After being approached to comment on Max’s case, Lambeth Council said it would be cancelling his fine.
A spokesperson said: “This PCN was issued in error, as we don’t usually issue for bus lanes on Christmas Day.
“We’ve cancelled this PCN, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
