Understanding bus lanes
A bus lane is a lane restricted to buses on certain days and times, and generally used to speed up public transport that would be otherwise held up by traffic congestion.
Bus lanes are shown by road markings and signs that indicate which (if any) other vehicles are permitted to use the bus lane. In Belfast city centre the legislation allows permitted taxis, motorcycles and bicycles to use bus lanes.
Unless otherwise indicated, you should not drive in a bus lane during its period of operation.
What the bus lane markings mean
Bus lane markings are generally one of three types.
City centre (kerbside bus lane)
Operational hours 7.00am - 7.00pm, Monday to Saturday.
These 12 hour bus lanes have a red band beside a solid white line.
City centre (centre of carriageway bus lane)
Operational hours 7.00am - 7.00pm, Monday to Saturday.
These bus lanes have red surfacing between solid white lines.
Outside City centre (Arterial routes)
Operational hours will vary, but are clearly shown on sign face. Generally, 7.30am to 9.30am and 3.30pm to 6.00pm Monday to Friday.
These bus lanes are marked with a solid white line and generally do not have coloured surfacing.
General information
Bus lane signs show the times when they operate. Most bus lanes operate at peak times only (typically 7.30am to 9.30am or 3.30pm to 6.00pm on Monday to Friday). Outside the hours of operation the lanes can be used by all traffic.
The legislation for most bus lanes allows permitted taxis, motorcycles and bicycles to use bus lanes.
In the city centre, bus lanes operate all day, from 7.00am to 7.00pm from Monday to Saturday.
The solid white line defines the edge of the bus lane.