AB 971: Vehicles: transit-only traffic lanes.

Existing law prohibits a person from operating a motor vehicle, or stopping, parking, or leaving a vehicle standing, on a portion of the highway designated for the exclusive use of public transit buses, subject to specified exceptions. Existing law also requires a public transit agency, with the agreement of the agency with jurisdiction over the highway, to place and maintain signs and traffic control devices indicating that a portion of a highway is designated for the exclusive use of public transit buses, as specified.

This bill would instead make these provisions applicable to transit-only traffic lanes. The bill would define transit-only traffic lanes as any designated transit-only lane on which use is restricted to mass transit vehicles, or other designated vehicles including taxis and vanpools, during posted times. The bill would instead require the agency with jurisdiction over the highway or a public transit agency to place and maintain signs and traffic control devices indicating that a portion of highway is designated as a transit-only traffic lane and require a public transit agency placing and maintaining these signs and traffic control devices to do so with the agreement of the agency with jurisdiction over the highway.