Motorway hard shoulders for buses

(JMD/ADW) During traffic jams on motorways, buses will be allowed to use the hard shoulder. The decision has not yet received 100% approval but the Minister of Sustainable Development, Claude Wiseler, announced on Tuesday that he was heading towards the solution during the presentation of an initial assessment of the working group dedicated to bus lane strategies giving priority to public transport on the roads. The scenario would apply in the case of traffic jams. Bus drivers, however will not be able to exceed the speed limit 30km.

Among the motorways concerned, high priority will go to A4 Luxembourg-Esch often blocked. This would compensate in some way, for the delay of a direct rail link between Luxembourg and Esch-sur-Alzette.

Three lanes for the A3 and A6?

At the same time discussions continue regarding the expansion of the A3 to France and A6 to Belgium to three-lane motorways. The Luxembourg government would be inclined to reserve this third lane to buses and carpools. "But this is only useful if it continues beyond the border," stated Claude Wiseler.

It must be noted that in France, the hard shoulder must remain free, except for “vehicles in distress”, to make way for emergency vehicles. In the Luxembourg Highway Code, it is expected that ambulances and other emergency vehicles use the normal traffic lanes, but motorists must move aside to let them pass.

No question of creating a central “corridor” lane reserved for buses on motorways. Such a system in Istanbul for example, is certainly very attractive, but too expensive and due to the layout and obstructions in Luxembourg, would take too long to implement. The only way this could be considered, is during the start of a motorway project. What interests the Grand Duchy, is the use of existing lanes and routes, but making them more accessible to public transport.