Use of bus lanes
A guide to bus lanes including information on when bus lanes operate, who can use them and what the road markings mean.
Priority for buses
A bus lane is a lane restricted to buses (and cycles, motorcycles and permitted taxis where indicated by the signs) on certain days and times.
The benefits of bus lanes are that they:
- increase bus service reliability
- improve bus passenger journey times
- encourage the use of public transport
- provide a safer lane for cyclists
- provide priority for emergency vehicles
Bus lanes are defined by road markings and signs that show which vehicles are permitted to use the bus lane.
You should not drive in a bus lane during its hours of operation, unless you're driving a permitted vehicle.
Outside of the bus lane hours of operation general traffic should use the lane, if it is free to do so.
Bus lane locations
There are more than 50 kilometres of bus lanes in Northern Ireland. The times and days of operation may vary from bus lane to bus lane. Where no times are stated, the bus lanes are operational 24 hours.
Drivers must pay attention to the road signs and markings, as these will clearly show the start and end of the bus lane, the vehicles permitted, and the hours of operation.
You can find details of these bus lanes on this page:
Types of bus lanes
Bus lanes are identified in a number of ways. In general, a bus lane is identified by road markings and associated signs detailing its operational hours.
Below are examples of bus lanes, bus-only streets and their associated road markings.
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 6.30pm 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 6.30pm 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.