Reserved Lanes
Reserved lanes are 39.8 kilometres of roads set aside for the exclusive use of buses, taxis and carpooling. Thanks to these lanes, the public transit service provided by the STO is easier and faster than ever!
The travel times for the approximately 62,000 daily riders rival the times of motorists, especially during peak periods in the direction of traffic or on the busiest roads.
Identification of reserved lanes
On the pavement
Diamonds and broken double lines marked on the pavement indicate that the lane is reserved.
Road signs
Road signs are posted to indicate when a lane is reserved and the types of vehicles that may use it. Below are a few examples:
- Reserved lane for buses, taxis and vehicles with 3 or more passengers
- Reserved lane Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
- Reserved lane for buses, taxis and vehicles with 3 or more passengers
- Reserved lane at all times
- Reserved lane for buses and taxis
- Reserved lane at all times
- End of the reserved lane
Priority traffic lights
A priority traffic light makes it easier for buses to merge into the traffic lane. It is represented by a vertical rectangular white light on a black background, integrated into the standard traffic lights. This light is activated a few seconds before the green light.
Priority traffic lights are installed at different strategic intersections where reserved lanes are located:
- Gréber and Gappe, north- and southbound;
- Gréber and Maloney, northbound;
- Gréber and Savane, southbound;
- Gréber and Jacques-Cartier, southbound;
- Maisonneuve and Laurier, at the southbound entrance to the Portage Bridge;
- Alexandre-Taché and Châteaubriand, eastbound;
- Fournier and Lac-Leamy, northbound.
To ensure fluid service, the electronic traffic light controllers at each intersection along Gréber and Fournier are fitted with a priority system. This technology extends the time of the green light by a few seconds or shortens the time of the red light, thereby allowing the bus to pass safely.
Conditions for using reserved lanes
In a reserved lane, motorists may not:
- Use the lane when not permitted;
- Stop or park their vehicle;
- Use the lane to pass;
Moreover, it is not advisable to travel by cycle or walk in the reserved lane. Cyclists who choose to ride on the roads and in reserved lanes must ride on the far right side of the lane.
Sign showing the obligation to take a lane parallel to the reserved lane
This sign tells motorists making a right turn onto a street that has a reserved lane that they must immediately change to the lane parallel to the reserved lane.
Reserved lanes – Aylmer sector
Reserved lanes – Gatineau sector
Reserved lanes – Hull sector
Alexandre-Taché |
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Length: 2.5 km |
Carpooling: 3 or more passengers |
Usage period: at all times |
Fournier |
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Length: 3.2 km |
Carpooling: 3 or more passengers |
Southbound usage period: |
Northbound usage period: |
Portage Bridge |
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Length: 1.2 km |
Carpooling: 3 or more passengers |
Usage period: at all times |
