Bus-only lanes separate buses from mixed traffic to help improve transit reliability and frequency, reduce congestion, and support mobility. Designated bus lanes provide transit priority for rapid transit and local buses, and unrestricted access to emergency vehicles.
Dedicated bus lanes can be installed immediately at the curb (curbside-running), or in an offset configuration in the middle of the road (centre-running lanes).
Bus-only lanes have a number of benefits, including:
- Reliability – reduce travel time and increase service, as frequently as every 90 seconds during peak times.
- Reduce congestion – allowing buses to travel on dedicated lanes help reduce delays and ease congestion in general traffic lanes.
- Increase capacity – there are more opportunities for other road users to travel in general traffic lanes.
- Smooth ride – separating buses from other vehicles help riders get where they need to go easier and faster.
Contraflow bus-only lane (King Street)
As part of the road design for future rapid transit operations, buses will be travelling east and west on King Street between Wellington Street and Lyle Street.
Red paint, signs and other pavement markings are being installed to help drivers differentiate the new bus-only lanes.
Before rapid transit operations begin in London, LTC local buses will be utilizing the newly installed bus-only lanes downtown and into Old East Village for existing routes that serve passengers through these areas.
General traffic will continue to travel eastbound ONLY on King Street as the road configuration has NOT changed for people driving.
Right and left turns at some intersections have changed to ensure safety for all and to support efficient transit operations. Pavement markings, signs and other elements will help drivers recognize where right/left turns are restricted and whether there is a dedicated or shared turning lane.
We recognize this is new to all of us and further information will be provided to educate the community and create awareness about this important milestone.
Next steps
Once lane painting is complete on King Street, LTC will begin testing the westbound contraflow bus-only lane (north side of the road), so you may start seeing buses travelling opposite to vehicles very soon along King Street between Lyle Street and Wellington Street.
Further information will be provided through email, public service announcements, social media and other channels to inform the community about this new configuration.
How to recognize bus-only lanes
Pavement markings
Pavement markings are essential to help differentiate bus-only lanes from other traffic lanes. Pavement markings combine with road signs and traffic signals provide important information about the direction of traffic, and where vehicles may or may not travel.
In addition to road signs and traffic signals, red paint and diamond symbols can be applied to help road users recognize bus-only lanes.
Signs
Reserved lane symbol indicates a lane is reserved for buses and help enforce the use of this lane. These signs can be ground-mounted, or installed overhead to notify road users of the restrictions.
This sign indicates that only buses can travel in that lane and driving, parking or stopping are not permitted.
This sign indicates that people biking can use the dedicated bus-only lane when cycling infrastructure is not in available within a close proximity to their destination.
Line markings and right turns
Diamond symbol and solid white lines (No right turns)
At intersections with solid white lines and diamond lanes, right-turns are not permitted. In these locations, continue to the next intersection for an opportunity to turn right.
Above location: King Street at Talbot Street.
Shared lanes and dashed white lines (right turns permitted)
A dashed white line indicates that vehicles are permitted to cross the transit lane to enter or exit driveways or to access a right-hand turning lane.
Above location: King Street at Maitland Street.
Dedicated right-turn lanes and dashed white lines (right turns permitted)
Above location: King Street at Clarence Street.
Frequently asked questions
What do bus lanes look like?
Bus lanes are marked with a white solid diamond, which indicates the lane has been reserved for special purposes. Road signs and traffic signals are also installed to help road users recognize a bus-only lane. The sign has a diamond on it and a bus symbol. Red paint may also be applied to differentiate bus lanes from general traffic lanes.
Can other motor vehicles use bus lanes?
Dedicated bus lanes are just for buses to travel. It allows buses to get riders where they need to go faster and safer. Other motor vehicles are not permitted to park, stop, or drive in this line. Emergency vehicles excepted. Paving markings and road signs are used to indicate when a bus lane can be shared with other motor vehicles.
How many bus-only lanes are being installed in London?
Bus-only lanes have been installed at the following locations:
- King Street between Ridout Street North and Lyle Street,
- Queens Avenue from Ridout Street North to Wellington Street, and
- Ridout Street North between Queens Avenue and King Street.
Work is underway to build new bus-only lanes on Wellington Street (Queens Avenue to the Thames River), King Street (Lyle Street to Ontario Street) Ontario Street (King Street to Dundas Street), and Dundas Street (Ontario Street to Egerton Street).
Future bus-only lanes will be added along Wellington Road between Thames River and Exeter Road, Dundas Street from Egerton Street to Highbury Avenue, and Oxford Street from Highbury Avenue to Fanshawe College.