MN SF1098

Shifts authority to permit bus use of highway shoulders from the state transportation commissioner to local road authorities as defined in Minnesota Statutes section 160.02, subdivision 25

Allows road authorities to authorize transit buses, motor carriers with 40+ passenger capacity, and Metro Mobility buses to use freeway and expressway shoulders when main-line traffic speeds fall below 35 miles per hour

Requires bus drivers to have adequate training, yield to merging and exiting traffic, and limits bus speeds to no more than 15 miles per hour above main-line traffic or 35 miles per hour maximum (whichever is lower)

Permits the commissioner to authorize different operating conditions and maximum speeds up to the posted speed limit based on engineering studies and recommendations from road authorities, with mandatory consultation with public transit operators

Maintains existing prohibition against shoulder bus operation on dynamic shoulder lanes and requires all buses operating on shoulders to register with the Department of Transportation