In partnership with local public transportation systems, the N.C. Department of Transportation's Bus on Shoulder System – also known as BOSS – allows certain buses to travel on the shoulders of designated interstate and primary routes as a way to help keep buses on schedule.
Doing so, provides more reliable service and encourages more people to use public transportation. That means less congestion on heavily traveled roads.
BOSS in Use
Trained bus drivers have the option to travel on shoulders whenever traffic slows below 35 mph.
- Buses can travel no more than 15 mph faster than traffic – and at a maximum speed of 35 mph.
- Buses must yield to emergency response vehicles and other vehicles parked in the shoulder.
- It is up to bus drivers to determine whether conditions are safe to travel in the shoulder.
Select
GoTriangle routes use BOSS on Interstate 40 from U.S. 15-501 in Durham to Wade Avenue in Raleigh, continuing on Wade Avenue to Blue Ridge Road. BOSS also is authorized for some transit routes using the I-40 shoulder east of Raleigh, from the Beltline to N.C. 42 (Exit 312) in Johnston County. (View map.)