Transit lanes are lanes on roadways in Australia set aside for vehicles with 2 or more passengers. Bicycles, taxis, emergency vehichles and motorcycles can also use the lanes in most cases. They are "also known as T2 or T3 lanes",[1], after the minimum number of passengers required to drive in the transit lane (2 or 3 persons, respectively). They are provided to encourage drivers to car pool or ride share, thereby reducing the number of vehicles using a road during peak times. The current network of transit lanes in the Sydney, Australia Road Network include:[1]
- Anzac Parade
- The Pacific Highway
- Spit Road
- Epping Road
- Victoria Road
- Great Western Highway
- Pacific Highway
- Military Road
- Windsor Road
- Burnt Bridge Creek Deviation
- M4 Motorway
In Melbourne, Australia, they are primarily used on freeways including:
- Tullamarine Freeway [ CityLink Sections]
- Eastern Freeway [until Bulleen Road]
There is also a Transit Lane northbound on Hoddle Street linking the city to start of the Eastern Freeway. Transit Lanes are also in operation in Brisbane, on several arterials and on the Pacific Motorway (M1).
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Criticism
Transit lanes are said to be abused by drivers in that they are rarely used by cars with 2 or more passengers[2]. This could be due to lack of policing of the lanes. This action is not isolated to Australia. Creation of space for Transit Lanes on an existing road may involve removal of a shoulder or bike lane that was set aside for use by cyclists.
References
- ^ a b Transit Lanes. Road and Traffic Authority, NSW. Retrieved on 2006-11-08.
- ^ Kerr, Joseph. "Why transit lanes can slow you down", The Sydney Morning Herald, 2002-09-16. Retrieved on 2006-11-08.
