Uso de aceras por autobuses de tránsito en Minnesota

Explicación Simple

En Minnesota, algunos autobuses pueden usar el costado de las carreteras rápidas cuando hay poco tráfico. Esto ayuda a que lleguen más rápido a sus paradas, pero deben seguir ciertas reglas para hacerlo de forma segura.

Es como cuando en una pista de carreras, los coches más lentos se mueven a un lado para que los rápidos puedan adelantar. Así, todos pueden seguir avanzando sin problemas.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan toma un autobús de Metro Mobility que lo lleva a su trabajo. Un día, el tráfico va muy lento en la autopista, pero su autobús puede usar el costado para llegar más rápido a su destino, siempre y cuando respete las reglas de velocidad y ceda el paso a otros vehículos.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

(a) A road authority, as defined in section160.02, subdivision 25, is authorized to permit transit buses and Metro Mobility buses use of a shoulder, as designated by the road authority, of a freeway or expressway, as defined in section160.02, in Minnesota. (b) If a road authority permits the use of a freeway or expressway shoulder by transit buses, the road authority shall permit the use on that shoulder of a bus (1) with a seating capacity of 40 passengers or more operated by a motor carrier of passengers, as defined in section221.012, subdivision 26, while operating in intrastate commerce or (2) providing regular route transit service, as defined in section174.22, subdivision 8, or Metro Mobility services, and operated by or under contract with the Metropolitan Council, a local transit authority, or a transit authority created by the legislature. Drivers of these buses must have adequate training in the requirements of paragraph (c), as determined by the commissioner. (c) Buses authorized to use the shoulder under this section may be operated on the shoulder only when main-line traffic speeds are less than 35 miles per hour, except as provided for in paragraph (f). Drivers of buses being operated on the shoulder may not exceed the speed of main-line traffic by more than 15 miles per hour and may never exceed 35 miles per hour, except as provided for in paragraph (f). Drivers of buses being operated on the shoulder must yield to merging, entering, and exiting traffic and must yield to other vehicles on the shoulder. Buses operated on the shoulder must be registered with the Department of Transportation. (d) For the purposes of this section, the term "Metro Mobility bus" means a motor vehicle of not less than 20 feet in length engaged in providing special transportat