​Sometimes it looks like our bus is running a red light, when in fact it's using a "queue jump lane."

What is a queue jump lane?

A queue jump lane is a traffic control device that gives special preference to certain vehicles at intersections. To help us stay on time, the City of Bellingham installed transit queue jump lanes westbound on Lakeway Dr at Lincoln St and on Alabama St at James St​.

Here's how it works:

At the intersections with queue jump lanes, there's a Turn Only Lane on the right.  Though it's Turn Only for cars, our buses are allowed to go straight.  A specially timed signal here can detect the presence of our bus and will give it a green ligh​t BEFORE the lights turn green for the other lanes. This head start allows our bus to "jump the queue" and reach the travel lanes before the cars waiting at the light.