2005 Minnesota Statutes - 169.306 — Use of shoulders by buses.

     169.306 Use of shoulders by buses. 


    (a) The commissioner of transportation may permit the use 
 by transit buses and metro mobility buses of a shoulder of a 
 freeway or expressway, as defined in section 160.02, in the 
 seven-county metropolitan area.  


    (b) If the commissioner permits the use of a freeway or 
 expressway shoulder by transit buses, the commissioner shall 
 also permit the use on that shoulder of a bus with a seating 
 capacity of 40 passengers or more operated by a motor carrier of 
 passengers, as defined in section 221.011, subdivision 48, while 
 operating in intrastate commerce. 


    (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.  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.  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 transportation services 
 under section 473.386 that is: 


    (1) operated by the Metropolitan Council, or operated by a 
 public or private entity receiving financial assistance from the 
 Metropolitan Council; and 


    (2) authorized by the council to use freeway or expressway 
 shoulders. 


    HIST: 2002 c 364 s 10; 2005 c 51 s 1