File-free, fast and sustainable
Bus on hard shoulder
Bus on the Emergency Lane is a solution for commuters and residents who want to travel quickly, without traffic jams, and sustainably to and from work, school, or other appointments.During traffic jams, public transport buses and private transport (employers) are allowed to use the hard shoulder after an exemption has been granted.Reliable and shorter travel times, less car traffic, lower CO2 emissions and fewer parking problems on your business park.
How does Bus on the Hard Shoulder work? Check it out here!
Along the traffic jam on the hard shoulder
We start on the A67
Bus on the hard shoulder is fast and expanding rapidly.
- Public transport buses are allowed, with an exemption, only during traffic jams from July 1, 4.5 kilometers on the emergency lane of the A67 drive, between the Eersel entrance and the Valkenswaard/Veldhoven exit, only in the direction of Eindhoven.
- Employers can also participate, provided they have an exemption from Rijkswaterstaat. The exemption is requested by the carrier on behalf of the employer.
- In 2026, Bus on Emergency Lane will also be available on parts of the A50 and the A2 South.
4 guarantees
- Fast – use of free lanes, less travel time for employees
- Trustworthy - predictable travel times
- Durable – reduction of CO2
- Relaxed – no traffic jams
Sign up
Are you an employer or a public transport provider? Do you already take employees to work via the A67 motorway by coach, bus, or minibus? Or are you planning to do so? Brainport Bereikbaar can help you arrange the exemption application. This way, everyone can travel quickly, congestion-free, and sustainably by bus to and from work, school, or other appointments.
Pilot Brainport Direct
As Brainport Bereikbaar, we're launching a pilot program to offer employers the option of having their employees travel to and from their workplace. We're collaborating with interested companies so they can try this out for six months, easily and free of charge. The pilot program consists of nine-person minivans, with certified employees acting as drivers. Brainport Direct buses are therefore permitted to use the hard shoulder during traffic jams, with an exemption, on routes designated by the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management (RWS).
Accessible region
To keep the Brainport region accessible and livable, Rijkswaterstaat, the Province of North Brabant, and Brainport Bereikbaar are developing solutions like "Bus on the Emergency Lane" to make public and private transport more attractive. This encourages passengers to use public transport more often and leave their cars at home more often.
More information?
Would you like to know more about Bus on the Emergency Lane? Then contact Brainport Bereikbaar via employers@brainportbereikbaar.nl.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bus on Hard Shoulder?
Bus on the Emergency Lane is the solution for commuters and residents who want to travel quickly, without traffic jams, and sustainably to and from work, school, or other appointments.During traffic jams, public transport buses and private transport (employers) are allowed to use the hard shoulder after an exemption has been granted. The advantages are:Reliable and shorter travel times, less car traffic, lower CO2 emissions, and fewer parking problems at your business park. Bus on the Emergency Lane is a project by Rijkswaterstaat, the Province of North Brabant, and Brainport Bereikbaar.
Why Bus on Emergency Lane?
In North Brabant, traffic jams are increasing, and accessibility in the Brainport region is under pressure. Rijkswaterstaat, the province of North Brabant, and Brainport Bereikbaar are working on a solution with the "Bus on the Hard Shoulder" initiative. Buses permitted on the hard shoulder will transport you quickly, congestion-free, and sustainably to and from work, school, or other appointments. Bus on the Hard Shoulder not only contributes to reliable and shorter travel times, but also to car traffic, CO2-emissions and parking problems for employers decrease. To keep the Brainport region accessible and livable, we're developing solutions like Bus on the Hard Shoulder to make public and private transport more attractive. This way, we encourage passengers to use public transport more often and leave their cars at home more often.
Who is it for?
For public transport providers and employers who have applied for an exemption through their carrier, which Rijkswaterstaat has granted. It is intended for:
- Employees who travel to work via the A67 from the Veldhoven, Eersel or Valkenswaard area.
- Employers who already operate coaches, scheduled buses or buses for employees, which are clearly identified as operating with an exemption.
- Employers who plan to operate buses for employees.
- Residents who travel to work or school via the A67.
On which highways and routes is Bus on Emergency Lane available?
From the end of June 2025, buses will be able to use the emergency lane on the A67 during traffic jams: a 4.5 km stretch on the southern carriageway from the Eersel junction to the Valkenswaard/Veldhoven junction towards Eindhoven.
We expect that after the summer of 2025, private bus services operated by employers will also be able to use the hard shoulder. This will allow commuters to travel to work faster and more sustainably. We'll start with the A67, and in 2025, the hard shoulder on the A50 will open in both directions between Nistelrode and the Ekkersrijt interchange. And in 2026, the hard shoulder will open on the A2 Zuid.
Why were these highways/routes chosen?
Several studies have been conducted to determine where most employees working in and around Eindhoven come from. They also examined where traffic jams occur regularly and where the hard shoulder is wide enough to accommodate buses.
Do you need a permit to drive on the hard shoulder?
Yes, that's called an exemption, which is granted by the road authority, in this case Rijkswaterstaat. Carriers can apply for this under this terms and conditions. All checkboxes green? Then you can register via this formBrainport Bereikbaar will guide you through the exemption application process.
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