Bus Lanes

[juanpelota]

Hi Folks,
Apologies if this has been done before, but couldn't find the answer.

Anybody know exactly what is defined as a bus in London TFL bus lanes?

Is it a local bus or does it include coaches from different parts of the country? or is it the 'anything carrying more than 12 people?'

I thought these were specifically for London bus routes, but maybe wrong.

Thanks
Juan

 

[BSRU]

I think it is any vehicle with the ability to legally carry more than nine passengers.

 

[Dan B]

There is different signage for local buses vs all buses: the sign will say "local" if it's local
You'd have to check the traffic order for the bus lane in question, I suspect. Search http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ for the road number.

For example, "The London Borough of Haringey (A10 Trunk Road) Red Route (Bus Lanes) Traffic Order 1998" says ' “bus”, “local bus”, “pedal cycle”, “taxi”, “bus lane”, “contra-flow” and “with-flow lane”have the meanings given in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1994;' -which is actually a bit of a poser, because although the latter defines "local bus", it doesn't appear to define "bus" itself

 

[suecsi]

+1 to Dan B - the bus station outside the train station at Feltham has a 'no entry' sign with a plate underneath saying 'Except Local Buses' so I suspect the same could be done for Bus Lanes. Our local ones don't have it on though, they just have the picture of a bus, motorbike and taxi (it is the main road to the airport) and then times on it, and a warning that it has a camera.

 

[Pisquee]

Some of the signs say "TFL only" on them too.

 

[Brains]

I used to drive a Red 12 seater Landrover.
It was defined as a "minibus" by Tfl
Therefore it was permitted to get a £15 a year bus licence in the congestion charge zone
I got fined for driving in a bus lane by Tfl
I do not get fined by Tfl when driving the Scout 15 seater minibus in bus lanes (which does not have a licence for the congestion charge zone)

Therefore the rule is is depends on what the bus looks like, It's not as simple as if it's big and red then you can drive in a bus lane, the 'rules' seem to be made up on the fly

 

[crazy580]

Anything with that can carry 8 or more passengers (according to 'Know your traffic signs')

 

[Norm]

[QUOTE 1423891"] So if I have an 8-seater Ford Galaxy I can drive in a bus lane?
I doubt it. [/quote]I claim no knowledge but crazy's definition referred to 8 passengers. The driver doesn't count.

 

[crazy580]

“Bus lane” in the signs referred to in paragraph (1) means a traffic lane reserved for—

​

motor vehicles constructed or adapted to carry more than 8 passengers (exclusive of the driver);

​

local buses not so constructed or adapted; and

​

pedal cycles and taxis where indicated on the sign shown in diagram 958 or 959 and pedal cycles where indicated on the sign 8.1.

The whole document is here

 

[crazy580]

Yes

 

[lulubel]

The law is pretty complicated, but to answer the OP's actual question, if it's just marked as a bus lane, coaches from different parts of the country (and outside the UK) can use it. If it's marked local buses, only buses on local routes can use it, and if it specifies a particular company, only their buses can use it.

I'm not 100% certain of this, but I'm pretty sure only vehicles registered as a public service vehicle (which covers all commercial buses) are allowed to use a lane marked as a bus lane.

I used to be a bus driver up to a couple of years ago, so I might be out of date on odd details, but the basics should be correct.

 

[Brains]

Yes

However see post above - 12 seater Landrovers with a licence get fined - 15 seater mini-buses without a licence do not

 

[crazy580]

However see post above - 12 seater Landrovers with a licence get fined - 15 seater mini-buses without a licence do not

Maybe the camera operator thought the land rover was not capable of carrying 8 or more passengers.

 

[Black Sheep]

Maybe the camera operator thought the land rover was not capable of carrying 8 or more passengers.

It's seat capability will be listed on the registration document and the DVLA reccords

 

[crazy580]

Of course!
To be honest, I really don't know why you got fined, but if I did, I would appeal it and quote the Traffic Signs Regulations and General directions.