DOZENS of taxi drivers are being forced to challenge bus lane fines, despite being exempt from the charges.

Glasgow Taxis Ltd claim "big numbers" of drivers have been hit with fees for entering lanes they are legally permitted to drive in.

The company say drivers are most commonly fined in error in lanes in the Argyle and Jamaica Street area.

Drivers claim it can take up to a month to receive a reply from the council when they challenge the fines —but they are only given 14 days to pay the fine.

The company has written to the council on behalf of 30 drivers who have been issued with fines recently, some more than once, it claims.

Glasgow City Council said "a small number" of drivers had received penalty charge notices in error and said it would welcome a meeting with the company to try to resolve the issue.