Minnesota Session Laws - 2005, Regular Session

                             CHAPTER 51-S.F.No. 633 
                  An act relating to transportation; modifying 
                  provisions relating to the use of freeway or 
                  expressway shoulders by transit buses and authorizing 
                  the commissioner of transportation to allow such use 
                  by metro mobility buses; amending Minnesota Statutes 
                  2004, section 169.306. 
        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
           Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 169.306, is 
        amended to read: 
           169.306 [USE OF SHOULDERS BY BUSES.] 
           If (a) The commissioner of transportation permits may 
        permit the use by transit buses and metro mobility buses of a 
        shoulder of a freeway or expressway, as defined in section 
        160.02, in the seven-county metropolitan area,.  
           (b) If the commissioner permits the use of a freeway or 
        expressway shoulder by transit buses, the commissioner shall 
        also permit the use on that shoulder of a bus with a seating 
        capacity of 40 passengers or more operated by a motor carrier of 
        passengers, as defined in section 221.011, subdivision 48, while 
        operating in intrastate commerce. 
           (c) Buses authorized to use the shoulder under this section 
        may be operated on the shoulder only when main line traffic 
        speeds are less than 35 miles per hour.  Drivers of buses being 
        operated on the shoulder may not exceed the speed of main line 
        traffic by more than 15 miles per hour and may never exceed 35 
        miles per hour.  Drivers of buses being operated on the shoulder 
        must yield to merging, entering, and exiting traffic and must 
        yield to other vehicles on the shoulder.  Buses operated on the 
        shoulder must be registered with the Department of 
        Transportation. 
           (d) For the purposes of this section, the term "metro 
        mobility bus" means a motor vehicle of not less than 20 feet in 
        length engaged in providing special transportation services 
        under section 473.386 that is: 
           (1) operated by the Metropolitan Council, or operated by a 
        public or private entity receiving financial assistance from the 
        Metropolitan Council; and 
           (2) authorized by the council to use freeway or expressway 
        shoulders. 
           Sec. 2.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
           This act is effective on the day following final enactment. 
           Presented to the governor May 9, 2005 
           Signed by the governor May 10, 2005, 8:30 a.m.