Emergency lane A2 made suitable for bus transport

Route between Leenderheide junction and Leende towards the south

Starting in January 2026, buses will be able to use the emergency lane on the A2 motorway during traffic jams. Rijkswaterstaat, the Province of North Brabant, and Brainport Bereikbaar are using this to encourage the use of public transport. This contributes to the accessibility of the Brainport region and reduces CO2 emissions. We expect that private bus services operated by businesses will also be able to use the emergency lane in the new year.

In the spring of 2025, the same measure was successfully implemented on the A67 from Eersel to Eindhoven, allowing buses to pass the traffic jam on this route.

Bus on hard shoulder

Bus-on-emergency-lane (BoV) is a measure that allows buses to use the emergency lane during traffic jams. Regular public transport services and private transport for employees and/or students can apply for an exemption. Rijkswaterstaat, the Province of Noord-Brabant, and Brainport Bereikbaar are collaborating on this measure.

Exemption

In order to be allowed to drive on the hard shoulder, carriers need an exemption. This application is supervised by Brainport Bereikbaar. Road manager Rijkswaterstaat assesses and ultimately grants the exemption.

Activities

Rijkswaterstaat will begin closing the hard shoulder on Monday evening, November 10, 2025. This is preparatory work. To ensure safety, the hard shoulder must be modified. Four emergency lanes with adequate lighting will be constructed along the route. In addition, the partially paved passage at the Heezerhut viaduct will be fully paved, making it suitable for buses. Finally, special signs will be installed so that road users know that buses are permitted on the hard shoulder in the event of a traffic jam. The work is expected to be completed by December 12, 2025.

Obstruction

Rijkswaterstaat is trying to minimize disruption to road users as much as possible. The work will primarily take place outside rush hour.

Other routes

Not only on the A2 will a section be made suitable for BoV. This will also be implemented on parts of the A50 by mid-2026.