Parking ticket issued to bus in bus stop

A bus company has complained after one of its was issued with a penalty charge notice (PCN) during a layover in Market Harborough, Leicestershire.

The driver of Centrebus’s 44 service was issued the ticket on 6 July.

The 44 route is between Foxton to Fleckney on behalf of the county council. The council timetable  requires a 20-minute layover in Market Harborough before resuming the service.

Centrebus operations manager Mick Rossiter said: “It’s quite bizarre. The driver is out all day, and takes his breaks on the road, he went across the road during the layover to get a sandwich and a drink. Six minutes later a traffic warden had slapped the fine on the bus. It’s completely unfair.”

Centrebus is appealing against the ticket.

The £70 PCN was issued for stopping on a restricted bus stop or stand. Leicestershire County Council said the notice was issued as the bus appeared to be parked up and unattended.

The council spokesperson said: “As a council, we only deal with a small number of this type of offence and the work done by our enforcement officers is important in deterring drivers from parking inappropriately as we look to keep our roads and streets safe and traffic on the move.”

The spokesperson said the appeal would be considered carefully.