What's allowed in a bus lane?

[shippers]

Was in a traffic jam yesterday with a police car behind me. He put his blue lights on, pulled into the bus lane, went through the traffic lights then turned his blue lights off and carried on his merry way.

Blood boil? Just a bit!

 

[Tharg2007]

Was in a traffic jam yesterday with a police car behind me. He put his blue lights on, pulled into the bus lane, went through the traffic lights then turned his blue lights off and carried on his merry way.

Blood boil? Just a bit!

maybe he got the feeling he was going to get the shoots like fergie, then it eased off a bit after the lights

 

[Pip]

Depends hugely on the bus lane.

In 'your average bus lane' it's any passenger carrying vehicle (Be it a service bus or private hire) with more than 8 passenger seats. So this includes minibuses, be they private or public. Plus cycles, plus liscenced taxi cabs (Black and private).

Some bus lanes are service buses only, these will be signed as such (In London they usually say 'TFL Buses Only.' Some also allow motorcycles, in which case again they will be plated. There are so many variations that it's always worth taking notice of the signs at the start of the lane. There's even one somewhere near Battersea that includes HGVs.

 

[marinyork]

Depends hugely on the bus lane.

Some bus lanes are service buses only, these will be signed as such (In London they usually say 'TFL Buses Only.' Some also allow motorcycles, in which case again they will be plated. There are so many variations that it's always worth taking notice of the signs at the start of the lane. There's even one somewhere near Battersea that includes HGVs.

It's worth pointing out that the signs/markings are sometimes done incorrectly/not clearly enough.

 

[Chamfus Flange]

I, relying on the evidence before me, assumed that ALL vehicle and non-vehicle types are allowed to use bus lane. Certainly applies to the bus lane going into Guildford on A320.

 

[Pip]

It's worth pointing out that the signs/markings are sometimes done incorrectly/not clearly enough.

Thats a very fair point, they're all to frequently obscured by other signs.

Also worth pointing out if you're driving/riding in one legally, while traffic cops generally know what should be in there and what shouldn't, local plods don't always. Be prepared to explain your presence! Speaking from experience of a long conversation with the local bobby who stopped me about whether my 16 seat minibus should have been in the bus lane. Several radio conversations with base later, he looked quite sheepish..;-)