Looks like the bus might just be on its way to being a little faster. From the Go Miami-Dade transit newsletter:
Miami-Dade Transit (MDT) has begun running buses on the shoulders of two expressways to bypass traffic jams and get commuters to work faster.
Miami-Dade Transit buses serving the popular Kendall Area Transit (KAT) routes are utilizing the shoulder lanes of the Snapper Creek and Don Shula expressways to increase on-time performance and reliability.
Approximately 30 minibuses serving the Killian, Kendall and Sunset KAT routes – which link West Kendall to the Metrorail system – enter the shoulder whenever speeds on the regular lanes drop below 25 mph. This is a typical occurrence during morning and evening rush hours on several roads in South Florida. Buses can travel up to 35 mph on the shoulder and must re-enter the main travel lanes whenever there is a breakdown or emergency vehicle in the shoulder.
Total daily boardings on the three KAT routes average almost 4,000. If the current trend continues, that could grow to 4,300 or more by 2010.
The new program is the result of a partnership between the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX), the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (FTE), and Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).
I love the concept – give priority to mass transit, as it should be. I’m a little concerned with the growth numbers. I hope that transit is working on improving the service so much that the number of riders shoots through the roof. Check out the complete online newsletter or visit Miami Dade Transit online.
2 Responses to “Buses Allowed to Use Shoulder in Traffic”
They have started doing this in Atlanta too.
In Boston, during rush hours, commuters are allowed to use the shoulder on certain stretches of I-95.