Bus stops and bus lanes

The bus stop is the bus driver's workplace many times every day. People get on and off there, often close to other traffic, cycles and pedestrians. It is also where many risky situations arise. The Traffic Ordinance (trafikförordningen) has several rules that protect both the bus and the passengers.

The Bus stop sign

The Bus stop (Busshållplats) (E22) sign indicates a stop for vehicles on regular services (linjetrafik) and school transport (skolskjuts) (Road Signs Ordinance (vägmärkesförordningen)). The stop can also be marked on the road.

Other vehicles at the stop

At a marked stop for vehicles on regular services or school transport, other vehicles may not park or stop, except to let people on or off, provided this can be done without obstructing the bus traffic (trafikförordningen 3 kap. 54 §). So a car may stop briefly to drop someone off, but only if the bus is not obstructed.

If the stop has no markings, the prohibition applies within 20 metres before and 5 metres after the Bus stop sign (3 kap. 54 §).

Stopping at a junction

Normally it is prohibited to stop in a junction or closer than ten metres to an intersecting carriageway. Vehicles on regular services and school transport stopping to let passengers on or off may nevertheless do so at a stop that has been decided in local traffic regulations (lokala trafikföreskrifter) and is marked with a road sign (3 kap. 53 §).

Pulling out from the stop

Before you pull out from a stop at the side of the road, you must signal with your direction indicator in good time (3 kap. 65 §).

Where the maximum permitted speed is 50 km/h or lower, a special rule applies. Drivers approaching a bus that is signalling to move off from a bus stop must slow down and give the bus the opportunity to pull out, and stop if necessary (3 kap. 45 §).

The rule has two important limitations:

• It applies only where the speed limit is 50 km/h or lower. On a 70 road, motorists have no special obligation to let you out. There you have to wait for a gap.
• Even when others must let you out, you as the bus driver must take special care so that no danger or unnecessary inconvenience arises.

So you never have the right to pull out on the off chance.

Vehicles approaching a bus at a stop

A driver approaching a bus, tram or school transport vehicle that has stopped to let people on or off must keep to a sufficiently low speed (3 kap. 15 §). There is no fixed limit in the Swedish rule. The same applies when children are on or beside the road. The rule also applies to you when you pass another bus at a stop.

Cyclists and the doors

A vehicle's doors may not be opened in a way that causes danger or unnecessary inconvenience, and getting on or off may not take place in a way that causes danger (3 kap. 50 §). If a cycle path runs right outside the bus doors and a cyclist is approaching from behind, you must wait before opening the doors.

If the bus has stopped at a stop without a traffic island (refug), anyone intending to pass to the right of the bus must stop and leave a free passage for passengers getting off or on (3 kap. 58 § fjärde stycket). As a bus driver you should nevertheless always check the mirror before opening the doors.

Before you drive off

The bus has mirrors or cameras showing the area by the doors. They are there so that you can spot passengers near the doors from the driver's seat. Use them every time before you move off.

Many buses have a starting interlock (startspärr) (called a bus-stop brake, hållplatsbroms, in the bus regulations) that prevents the bus from being driven off if a door is not fully closed. It only senses the door. It does not know whether someone is standing right next to the bus or has got stuck with a bag. That is why you must always check the door area yourself.

Lanes for regular services

A lane or carriageway for vehicles on regular services etc. (körfält eller körbana för fordon i linjetrafik m.fl.) is shown with sign D10. The sign indicates that the vehicles listed in trafikförordningen 8 kap. 2 § may use the lane. If other vehicles may also drive there, this is shown on an additional plate (tilläggstavla) below the sign.

Other vehicles may not stop or park in such a lane or carriageway (3 kap. 53 §). This protects the flow of public transport.

Remember that as a bus driver you are not alone in the bus lane. There may be other vehicles allowed to use the lane, and at junctions and exits cars have to cross the lane. Keep a lookout and adjust your speed.

Reversing at terminals

At terminus stops and terminals you sometimes need to reverse. A driver may only reverse if it can be done without danger or obstruction to others (3 kap. 46 §). A bus has large blind spots to the rear. An audible signal or reversing alarm is not enough; you must know that the way behind is clear. Get help from a banksman if you do not have a full view.

When you leave the driver's seat

If you leave the driver's seat at a terminus, you must make sure the bus cannot start moving on its own, for example by applying the parking brake. You must also prevent anyone unauthorised from using the bus (3 kap. 50 §).

Remember

• At a marked bus stop, other vehicles may only stop briefly to let people on or off without obstructing the bus.
• Without markings, the prohibition applies 20 metres before and 5 metres after the sign.
• Signal with your direction indicator in good time before pulling out.
• Where the limit is no more than 50 km/h, others must slow down and let the bus out. You must still take special care.
• On roads over 50 km/h, motorists have no such obligation.
• Do not open the doors if danger may arise, for example when a cyclist is coming.
• The starting interlock only senses the door. Always check the door area in the mirrors or camera.
• Others may not stop or park in a lane for regular services.