Leeds named one of the worst cities in the UK for bus lane fines as 53,000 motorists penalised

Leeds has been named one of the worst cities in the UK for bus lane fines.

A new analysis from the car insurance experts at MoneySuperMarket found that 53,009 bus lane fines have been issued to motorists in Leeds, during the first half of 2026.

The analysis, based on Freedom of Information (FOI) requests made by MoneySuperMarket to 77 councils and transport authorities across England, Scotland and Wales, revealed that an average of £200,000 was collected each day from British motorists for bus-related driving penalties.

Leeds ranked fifth for the number of fines issued, only behind Transport for London, Manchester, Sheffield and Bristol.

Alicia Hempsted, Car Insurance Expert at MoneySuperMarket, says: “Bus lanes and gates are an important part of our road infrastructure, so it’s important to keep them clear of cars and allow them to flow freely, particularly during busy periods.

“However, for many drivers, a brief lapse of attention or navigating an unfamiliar street can have expensive consequences. PCNs are civil penalties, rather than criminal notices, so unlike offences for speeding or drink-driving, they won’t have any impact on your car insurance.

“If you do receive a PCN for a bus lane or gate infringement, you should try to address it as soon as possible as fines are often reduced by 50% if they’re settled within 14 to 21 days, though this does vary between locations.”

Manchester generated the most revenue from fines paid for bus lane and gate infringements, with the council receiving over £2.7 million in revenue in the first six months of 2026.

Despite issuing more PCNs, TfL generated just under £2.4 million in revenue for the same time, with Birmingham (£2.17m) placing third.

Leeds ranked sixth with just over £1.4m generated by Leeds City Council from bus lane fines. Sheffield and Glasgow ranked fourth and fifth respectively.