Oxfordshire County Council has collected more than £4.7 million from bus lane penalties across the county over the past three years, according to new research.

The figures reveal that the council issued 203,858 Penalty Charge Notices between January 2023 and December 2025, with over 200,000 drivers receiving fines.

The enforcement generated £4,766,057 in income during this period, according to UK car retailer Cinch following a Freedom of Information request.

Looking at the year-by-year breakdown of bus lane enforcement, a total of 55,515 Penalty Charge Notices were issued in 2023, bringing in £1,556,630.24.

Oxford’s High Street recorded the highest number of penalties during this timeframe. (Image: Oxford Mail)

The number of Penalty Charge Notices issued increased in 2024, rising to 74,631, though the income generated was lower at £1,375,002.30.

In 2025, 72,712 Penalty Charge Notices were issued while revenue increased to its highest level at £1,834,424.75.

The data also identifies the main enforcement location in the city, with High Street recording the most penalties during the period at 82,301.

The research also shows the number of drivers who paid their fine early each year reached 35,053 in 2023.

This figure then fell to 31,312 in 2024 before rising substantially to 41,760 in 2025.

A bus lane. (Image: Supplied)

Thousands of drivers also attempted to contest their fines, with 41,514 penalties upheld after 45,652 appeals.

Ben Welham, motoring expert at Cinch, said bus lanes are intended to keep traffic flowing in busy city centres but can catch drivers unaware if they are not familiar with the road layout or miss signage.

He said motorists can sometimes accidentally enter a bus lane when following satellite navigation directions or when traffic suddenly merges near junctions.

He added that the safest approach is to always watch for road markings and time restrictions, particularly in city centres where bus lanes may only operate during certain hours.

The data was obtained by Cinch through a Freedom of Information request sent to Oxfordshire County Council in January 2026.

Buses in Oxford. (Image: Photo: Ed Nix)

Responding to the figures, an Oxfordshire County Council spokesperson said bus lanes and bus gates play an important role in improving bus reliability and reducing congestion.

Any surplus generated is used to cover costs incurred and fund highway or road improvement projects, the spokesperson added.

The Freedom of Information request sought the total number of bus lane Penalty Charge Notices issued in Oxfordshire between January 2023 and December 2025, along with the total revenue generated from those penalties.

The council was also asked to provide the number of appeals submitted during the same period, the number of appeals that were upheld, and the bus lane locations that recorded the highest number of penalties.

All figures are based on data provided by Oxfordshire County Council at the time of response.