SENATE BILL REPORT

                           EHB 1107

  AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, MARCH 31, 1993

Brief Description:  Requiring yielding right of way to buses.

SPONSORS: Representatives R. Fisher and Jacobsen

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. 

     Signed by Senators Vognild, Chairman; Loveland, Vice Chairman; Skratek, Vice Chairman; Barr, Drew, Haugen, Nelson, Oke, Prentice, Prince, M. Rasmussen, Sheldon, von Reichbauer, and Winsley.

Staff:  Jeff Doyle (786‑7322)

Hearing Dates: March 31, 1993

BACKGROUND:

Automobiles are not required to yield the right of way to transit vehicles.

SUMMARY:

The driver of a vehicle must yield the right of way to a transit vehicle traveling in the same direction that has signaled and is attempting to reenter the flow of traffic.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

Transit and maintenance vehicles are allowed to use optical strobe light devices.  These devices send a signal to the traffic lights allowing a green light to remain green for a few additional seconds.  Emergency vehicles will still have the ability to override the transit opticom devices providing them with a superior right of way at all times.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Allowing buses the right of way while re-entering the flow of traffic will shorten travel times for buses making transit a more attractive alternative to single occupancy vehicle travel.

The provisions allowing the use of optical strobe light devices have the same effect; they allow buses to move through traffic more efficiently and provide an incentive to ride public transit.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Dan Snow, WA Transit Assn.; Richard Hayes, Kitsap Transit; Michael Skehan, ACT-Trans; Steve Ross, Amal Transit Union; Tim Erickson, WSP