1. What is a transit lane?
2. Who can use the Mana transit lanes?
3. What times do the Mana transit lanes operate?
4. Can I use the transit lanes outside these operating times?
5. How do I access homes and businesses on Mana Esplanade?
6. What happens if I am travelling alone in my vehicle?
7. Why have traffic signals been installed on Mana Esplanade?
8. Do traffic signals apply if I am using the transit lane?
9. What happens when I enter the Mana transit lane during operating hours?
10. What if I break the rules?
11. What does a transit lane enforcement officer look like?
12. What happens if my vehicle is towed from a transit lane?

1. What is a transit lane?

A traffic lane which can be used by vehicles carrying a minimum number of people at specific times.

2. Who can use the Mana transit lanes?

The transit lanes can be used by vehicles carrying two or more people. For safety reasons, bicycles and motorcycles are also able to use the Mana transit lanes. If you choose to stay in the general traffic lane, you can.

3. What times do the Mana transit lanes operate?

Southbound, the transit lane operates from 6.30 am to 9.30 am on weekdays and from 3.30 pm to 6.30pm on Sundays and public holidays.

Northbound, the transit lane operates from 3.30 pm to 6.30 pm on weekdays and from 11.30 am to 2.30 pm on Saturdays.

4. Can I use the transit lanes outside these operating times?

You can park in the transit lane outside of operating hours.

5. How do I access homes and businesses on Mana Esplanade?

You can use the transit lane, whether inside or outside of operating hours, if you need to access premises or side roads on Mana Esplanade.

6. What happens if I am travelling alone in my vehicle?

You will need to use the general traffic lane. You cannot use the transit lane during operating hours unless your vehicle is carrying two or more people.

7. Why have traffic signals been installed on Mana Esplanade?

Traffic signals have been installed to provide safer access to and from side roads along Mana Esplanade.

8. Do traffic signals apply if I am using the transit lane?

Yes, as do normal traffic rules.

9. What happens when I enter the Mana transit lane during operating hours?

• If you have two or more people in your vehicle you are entitled to use the lane.

• If you are travelling alone in your vehicle, a transit lane enforcement officer will video your vehicle at the start of the transit lane and radio through details of the registration number, colour and type of vehicle to a second officer at the end of the transit lane. This second transit lane enforcement officer will record on a log sheet the details of your vehicle and check its occupancy as it passes by.

• If your vehicle does not pass the second transit lane enforcement officer, it will mean that you have exited the transit lane into a side road or local property, and therefore have not committed an offence.

10. What if I break the rules?

In the initial stages, infringement notices will not be issued, but letters advising of an offence will be sent to the registered owner of the vehicle. After this period of grace, infringement notices will be issued to registered owners of vehicles. The fine is $150 and is to be paid within a specific time period, similar to normal traffic infringement notices.

11. What does a transit lane enforcement officer look like?

Transit lane enforcement officers will be conspicuous to motorists, as their role is to deter offending. They will wear high visibility clothing for safety reasons.

12. What happens if my vehicle is towed from a transit lane?

Vehicles are towed at the owners’ expense, if they are parked in the transit lanes during times of operation.

To find out more, visit our website
www.transit.govt.nz

Alternatively you can email
info@transit.govt.nz

Or telephone, 04 801 2580
Wellington Regional Office
Transit New Zealand