Bus Lane: Definition, Rules, and Examples

Meaning 1：lane reserved for buses (bus lane)

bus lane 🔊

/bʌs leɪn/

A special lane on a road marked for use only by buses, especially during busy times, to help them avoid traffic.

lane reserved for buses 🔊

➕

/leɪn rɪˈzɜːrvd fɔːr ˈbʌsɪz/

A bus lane is a designated lane on a road exclusively for buses, often during peak hours, to bypass traffic congestion.

📁 Category：Transportation & Travel 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📖 Root Explanation

Bus (Latin 'omnibus' for all) + lane (Old English 'lanu' narrow path).

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a big bus speeding alone in its own lane, free from car traffic.

📖 Example

The bus lane on Main Street has cut my morning commute time in half. 🔊 The bus lane on Main Street has cut my morning commute time in half.

🔗 Collocations

use the bus lane – To drive in the lane reserved for buses.

bus lane violation – An offense of driving in a bus lane without authorization.

peak-hour bus lane – A bus lane that is operational only during busy traffic periods.

🔄 Synonyms

bus-only lane (n.) – A lane exclusively for buses.

transit lane (n.) – A lane reserved for public transport vehicles, including buses.

diamond lane (n.) – A lane marked with a diamond symbol, often reserved for buses and carpools.

🚫 Antonyms

general traffic lane (n.) – A lane open to all vehicles.

parking lane (n.) – A lane designated for parking, not for moving traffic.

📖 Cultural Story

Bus lanes emerged in mid-20th century to prioritize public transit. The concept was popularized by Curitiba, Brazil's BRT system in the 1970s.