Sacramento Area Bus/Carpool Lanes

Facts and Concepts

The population of the Sacramento Region is projected to increase by more than 700,000 people over the next 20 years. The number of vehicles and levels of traffic congestion will also increase.

Bus/Carpool lanes, also known as HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lanes and diamond lanes, are effective transportation system management tools for reducing traffic congestion and improving mobility. Bus/Carpool lanes typically carry 2-3 times more people at peak traffic hours than conventional mixed flow lanes and offer more consistent and predictable travel times for carpools, buses, vanpools, paratransit vehicles, and emergency vehicles.

There are currently 33.9 centerline miles of Bus/Carpool Lanes in the Sacramento Region on US-50, Interstate 80 and Highway 99. Bus/Carpool lanes in the Sacramento Region operate during the peak-period commute hours of 6-10 a.m. and 3-7 p.m. Monday-Friday. A minimum of two people per vehicle is required. Motorcycles and qualified low emission vehicles are also permitted to use the lanes without needing two or more people.

Bus/Carpool lanes provide an incentive for people to rideshare and take transit during peak hours. People who use Bus/Carpool lanes in Sacramento save an average of 8 minutes travel time during peak commute periods. Many express buses serving Sacramento, Elk Grove, Roseville and surrounding counties also use the Bus/Carpool lanes on a regular basis.

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Bus/Carpool Lanes are a SUCCESS!