Bus on Shoulder Pilot Project

The Bus on Shoulder (BOS) pilot project is here!

Riders and bus operators on the South Bay Rapid 225 will be able to put traffic in the rear view mirror as buses enter select shoulders on two freeways to bypass vehicle congestion during peak travel times.

For the next three years, riders and bus operators on the South Bay Rapid 225 will be able to put traffic in the rear view mirror as buses enter select shoulders on two freeways to bypass vehicle congestion during peak travel times.

From 6 to 9 a.m. on weekdays, buses are now able to enter the shoulders in the northbound I-805 and westbound SR 94 directions, and from 3 to 7 p.m. only on the eastbound SR 94 to southbound. This means more reliable and faster commutes!

 

Safety First:

Safety has been on the forefront of this project from the start, and special training for bus operators and technology play important roles:

  • South Bay Rapid buses have been equipped with innovative technology to minimize any risk of accidents and assist drivers during the commute.
  • MTS bus operators have been specially training to operate on the freeway shoulder alongside the California Highway Patrol.
  • Buses can only enter the shoulder if travel lanes are operating under 35 miles per hour (mph) and will not exceed a maximum speed of 35 mph in the shoulder.
  • Shoulders will always remain available for law enforcement, emergencies, and incident management.

Innovative Technology:

This project is the first use of vehicle-to-infrastructure technology in the San Diego region. Sensors embedded on these buses provide audio and visual alerts to bus operators regarding lane position and potential conflicts between the Rapid buses, other vehicles, or obstructions along the corridor and shoulder.

Bus on Shoulder Technology Bus on Shoulder Technology

 

What is Bus on Shoulder?
When can buses enter the freeway shoulder?
Is it okay for other buses or vehicles to drive on the shoulder?
What type of technology will be used on the buses?
What agencies are involved with the project?
Will similar BOS projects be implemented in San Diego County?
Now that Rapid 225 can operate on the shoulder, will anything else change with the route?