Since the automatic camera system installed to record cars breaching Athens bus lanes has proved inefficient, the capital’s public transport officials are planning to use photographers for the job, a report said yesterday.

Teams of camera-toting Athens Urban Transport Organization (OASA) employees, escorted by traffic police officers, will roam the city center looking for drivers to snap, a story in Ta Nea daily said. The officers will offer OASA photographers protection against irate motorists, as well as conforming with legal requirements regarding the verification of driving offenses.

The measure was deemed necessary as many of the 25 fixed, automatic cameras in use provide poor-quality shots, in which it is often impossible to read offending drivers’ license plates. Motorists caught in bus lanes are fined 78 euros. Athens has 38 kilometers of bus lanes.