The city council launched a crackdown in April on motorists who delay public transport by using bus and taxi lanes.

In the first month, fixed penalty notices were sent out to almost 15,400 car owners and, by last weekend, the total had soared to almost 39,000.

Earlier this year, CCTV cameras were installed at 11 locations on busy main roads leading into the city centre.

The cameras read the number plates of any vehicles caught entering a bus lane and check them against a list of approved transport such as buses, licensed taxis and private hire cars.

If the vehicle is not on the list, an evidence pack is created with a video clip of the offence.

The video is reviewed by an enforcement officer, who decides whether a fine should be issued.

Notices of the fine are automatically sent by the council to the registered keeper of the vehicle.

The fixed penalty papers include digital images of the car in the bus lane in an attempt to reduce the number of offences challenged.

Drivers caught using bus lanes are hit with a £60 fine, which is cut to £30 if paid within two weeks.

So far, the council has received penalty payments totalling more than £530,000 with the remainder of the cash still outstanding. The total will be at least £1.1m.

A similar scheme in Edinburgh was suspended just weeks after its launch when the council was bombarded with complaints from angry motorists.

Drivers flooded the capital's local authority with complaints, saying they had been wrongly fined and could no longer turn into residential streets.

In Glasgow, 2361 drivers have appealed the fixed penalty fine but only 768 have been successful.

Jim Coleman, Glasgow City Council's transport spokesman, said: "The minority of drivers who abuse bus lanes inconvenience others and their behaviour can lead to danger to pedestrians, cyclists and other road users and also reduces the effectiveness of the city's public transport service."

MR Coleman pointed out the council ran a month-long 'Avoid the fine, don't cross the line' awareness raising campaign in newspapers, radio, billboards, online and on the back of buses to ensure people knew of the enforcement scheme and the incoming penalty charge.

He added: "This campaign clearly had an effect because initial expectations had anticipated 21,000 violations in the first month – the actual figure was 15,369 cases.

"People are getting the message and should be fully aware that driving in bus lanes is illegal.

"Having measures in place to ensure bus services can run in dedicated lanes without being snared up in traffic is one of many ways to make drivers aware of the benefits of switching to public transport.

"Around £30m was invested by the council, First Glasgow and the Scottish Government in an attempt to improve public transport in the city and the bus lane enforcement scheme will help to get full benefit from that.

"We believe civil enforcement will help lower the number of offences in Glasgow, improve the flow of traffic on a number of congested stretches and improve the reliability of bus journeys on some key routes."

Edinburgh has launched a similar scheme in an attempt to keep cars out of bus lanes.

But Neil Greig, of the Institute Of Advanced Motorists, said: "Glasgow is racking up similar numbers to Edinburgh but not many people seem to be complaining.

"It seems to be working in Glasgow and people are saying they have been caught bang to rights and so they are paying up.

"But I am worried drivers are so lacking in observational skills that they don't notice the cameras."

The bus lane CCTV cameras are in North Hanover Street, Glassford Street, Hope Street, West George Street, Duke Street, Cathedral Street, Maryhill Road, Argyle Street, Great Western Road and Victoria Road.

In London, where fines for driving in a bus lane can be up to £130, compliance increased sharply after fines were introduced.

Stephen Flynn, vice-chairman of Glasgow Taxis, said: "These dedicated bus and taxi lanes can help to ease public transport flow in, out and through Glasgow, in particular in and around the city centre.

"What this crackdown has highlighted is the sheer number of people who were flouting the rules and contributing to unnecessary congestion.

"It is a staggering number and it seems very unfair that the majority of drivers should obey the rules while a minority continues to ignore them. "

vivienne.nicoll@eveningtimes.co.uk