Know the rules of the road and what signage to look out for when navigating Business Access & Transit Lanes.

What is a BAT Lane?

Short for Business Access & Transit, BAT lanes help buses and other vehicles move more efficiently through traffic and provide better access to businesses. BAT lanes are reserved for buses and turning vehicles only. When driving through BAT lanes, be sure to look both ways, even when entering and exiting one-way streets, and watch for buses.

Sharing the Road with EmX Buses

How to Safely Use BAT Lanes

Understanding Road Signage & Markings

Motorists use these lanes to access businesses and make right turns at intersections.

Motorists use these lanes at intersections to make right turns into the nearest through-traffic lane.

Motorists cross these lanes to make turns into the nearest through-traffic lane. Even on one-way streets, buses may travel in both directions in some Bus-Only lanes.

Only buses are allowed to use lanes with “BUS ONLY” signs and/or red paint.

BAT Lane Dos and Don’ts

DO watch for buses when merging and making turns. Even on one-way streets for motorists, buses may travel in both directions, so look both ways.

DO merge into the BAT lane ONLY where you see dashed lines.

DO use BAT lanes to access businesses and make right turns at intersections that are not painted red.

DO look for markers indicating lane use, such as overhead signs, painted words on the road, signs with flashing lights, and paint on Bus Only lanes.

DO turn into the nearest through traffic lane. DO NOT turn into BAT lanes. When exiting a business, turn into the nearest through-traffic lane, not the BAT lane.

DO NOT merge into BAT lanes sooner than needed. Merge into BAT lanes when you see the dashed lines and make turns as soon as possible. DO NOT travel in BAT lanes for more than one city block.

DO NOT park in BAT or Bus Only lanes.

DO NOT travel in red Bus Only lanes. Motorists can cross these lanes to access the nearest through traffic lane.