A split drives system for a printer in which a single drive motor drives a first belt drive system for the image fusing system and a second and separate belt drive system driving the sheet registration system. This split drives system mechanically isolates the second and separate belt drive system from torque fluctuations in the image fusing system via the first belt drive system driving the image fusing system. Also, the split driving system can isolate torque variations in the driving of the print media fuser from the driving of the print media sheet transport.