Provisions regarding the use of bus lanes are set out in articles 32 and 39 of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997, SI 182 of 1997, as amended in article 2 of Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) (Amendment) Regulations 1998, SI 441 of 1998.
Article 32 provides that only large public service vehicles and cyclists can enter bus lanes during the operative period and that an exception is made for a taxi or a wheel chair accessible taxi which is being used in the course of business. It is also provided that, except for the purpose of access, only large public service vehicles can enter a bus-only street. The result of this measure is that taxis and other vehicles can use a bus-only street if access to premises on that street is required.
In addition, the article provides that only a large public service vehicle can enter a contra-flow bus lane. This prohibition and single user status is based on road safety considerations and to give priority to the operation of large public service vehicles. I have no plans to permit taxis to use all bus lanes.