Additional Info

Buses and Midi-Buses Only – R135 Road Sign

The Buses and Midi-Buses Only road sign, identified as R135, is a South African regulatory command sign used to indicate that a public road or portion of a public road has been specifically set aside for buses and midi-buses.

R135 imposes a mandatory requirement on drivers of buses and midi-buses to use the designated roadway. Other classes of road users shall not use the public road or portion of public road identified by the sign.

R135 forms part of the South African system of vehicle-class command signs. It is one of the combined passenger-transport signs designed for situations where different types of public transport vehicles share a designated roadway or facility. ([transport.gov.za](https://www.transport.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/V1C2.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

What Does the R135 Road Sign Mean?

The R135 sign means Buses and Midi-Buses Only.

It indicates that the relevant public road or portion of a public road is reserved for shared use by buses and midi-buses.

Drivers of buses and midi-buses are required to use the designated roadway where the R135 command applies. Other vehicle classes are not permitted to use the indicated public road or road section. ([transport.gov.za](https://www.transport.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/V1C2.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

Is R135 a Command Sign?

Yes. R135 is a regulatory command sign, rather than simply an information or directional sign.

The command is mandatory. Where an R135-designated public road or portion of a public road applies, buses and midi-buses shall use the designated facility, while other vehicle classes shall not use it.

The South African Road Traffic Signs Manual states that R134, R135 and R136 are likely to be used relatively rarely and are intended for specific passenger-transport traffic-management situations. ([transport.gov.za](https://www.transport.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/V1C2.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

What Is a Midi-Bus?

A midi-bus is a passenger-transport vehicle that falls within the midi-bus vehicle classification under the applicable South African road-traffic requirements.

The term should not simply be treated as a general description for any bus that is smaller than a full-size bus. The applicable vehicle classification and specifications should be used when determining whether a particular vehicle falls within the midi-bus category.

Where Are R135 Signs Used?

R135 can be used where buses and midi-buses need to share a designated public-road facility.

Potential applications can include:

• Dedicated public-transport roadways
• Passenger transport terminals
• Transport interchanges
• Bus and midi-bus routes
• Passenger loading and circulation facilities
• Public transport facilities
• Terminal access roads
• Controlled passenger-transport routes
• Complex transport facilities requiring vehicle-class segregation

The official manual explains that shared passenger-transport facilities can include roadways, terminal facilities and parking facilities. The combined signs can reduce the need for multiple individual vehicle-class command signs. ([transport.gov.za](https://www.transport.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/V1C2.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

R135 at Public Transport Facilities

Large public transport facilities can involve several types of vehicle movement, including passenger loading, unloading, circulation and access to terminals.

Where a roadway has been specifically designated for buses and midi-buses, R135 provides a standardised command to identify the applicable vehicle classes.

Additional regulatory, directional, pedestrian, parking or reservation signs may be required depending on the layout and operation of the facility.

R135 Sign Placement

The South African Road Traffic Signs Manual states that R134, R135 and R136 should be displayed at the beginning of a roadway specifically set aside for shared use by the applicable passenger-transport vehicle classes.

R135 should normally be positioned on the left side of the public road or portion of public road to which it applies.

If the public road is a one-way roadway dedicated to passenger-transport vehicles, the manual recommends displaying the sign on both the left and right sides of the roadway. ([transport.gov.za](https://www.transport.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/V1C2.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

R135 Sign Visibility

The sign should be positioned where the applicable drivers can clearly see the command before entering the designated roadway.

Site conditions that may affect sign placement include:

• Approach speed
• Available sight distance
• Road alignment
• Junctions and entrances
• Other regulatory signs
• Passenger loading areas
• Pedestrian movements
• Public transport circulation patterns

Official public-road installations should follow the applicable South African road-sign requirements and the requirements of the responsible road authority.

R135 Sign Colours and Design

The permanent R135 Buses and Midi-Buses Only sign uses the standard permanent command-sign colour arrangement:

• Border and symbols: White retroreflective
• Background: Blue retroreflective

The blue-and-white design identifies R135 as a permanent regulatory command sign. ([transport.gov.za](https://www.transport.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/V4C2-part-a.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

Temporary Buses and Midi-Buses Only Sign – TR135

The temporary version of R135 is TR135.

The SARTSM states that temporary R134, R135 and R136 signs are unlikely to be required frequently. Where a temporary version is specified, it must use the temporary command-sign colour arrangement.

• Inner border and symbols: Black semi-matt
• Background and outer border: Yellow retroreflective

TR135 can therefore be used where a temporary traffic arrangement requires buses and midi-buses to use a particular public-road facility or road section. ([transport.gov.za](https://www.transport.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/V1C2.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

R135 Sign Size

The size and location of R135 should follow the general requirements for regulatory command signs in the South African Road Traffic Signs Manual.

The official SARTSM Vol. 4 provides the dimensional requirements for R135 and TR135. Sign dimensions should be selected according to the applicable sign specification and road environment rather than using one universal size for every installation. ([transport.gov.za](https://www.transport.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/V4C2-part-a.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

R136, which contains three passenger-transport symbols, has a specific requirement to be one size larger than R134 for the corresponding application. This does not mean that R135 should automatically be manufactured at the R136 size. ([transport.gov.za](https://www.transport.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/V4C2-part-a.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

R135 and Public Transport Traffic Management

R135 can form part of a wider public-transport traffic-management system.

Depending on the facility, additional signs may communicate:

• Passenger transport directions
• Loading and unloading areas
• Parking arrangements
• Stopping restrictions
• Pedestrian crossings
• Terminal entrances and exits
• Vehicle circulation routes
• Other access restrictions

The SARTSM notes that public-transport signing can involve a wide range of regulatory signs, including command, prohibition and reservation signs. ([transport.gov.za](https://www.transport.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/V1C2.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

R135 Compared With R121 Buses Only

R135 Buses and Midi-Buses Only should not be confused with R121 Buses Only.

• R121: Buses Only.
• R135: Buses and Midi-Buses Only.

R121 applies to a roadway designated for buses only, while R135 identifies a roadway designated for both buses and midi-buses.

R135 Compared With R134

R134 and R135 are similar combined passenger-transport command signs, but they apply to different vehicle classes:

• R134: Buses and Minibuses Only.
• R135: Buses and Midi-Buses Only.
• R136: Buses, Midi-Buses and Minibuses Only.

The appropriate sign should be selected according to the vehicle classes that have been designated to use the particular roadway or facility. ([transport.gov.za](https://www.transport.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/V1C2.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

R135 Compared With R136

R135 covers buses and midi-buses, while R136 covers buses, midi-buses and minibuses.

R136 therefore includes one additional vehicle class compared with R135. The SARTSM specifies that R136 uses three vehicle symbols and is one size larger than R134 for the corresponding application. ([transport.gov.za](https://www.transport.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/V1C2.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

R135 on Private Property

Shopping centres, office parks, hospitals, universities, residential estates and other private developments may use suitable bus and midi-bus traffic-management signage within their premises.

However, the official R135 designation refers to a public road or portion of a public road. Private-site signage should therefore be selected according to the site's traffic-management requirements and should not automatically be represented as an official public-road R135 regulatory sign.

Who May Need R135 Signs?

R135 signage may be relevant to organisations and authorities managing passenger-transport facilities, including:

• Road authorities
• Municipalities
• Public transport projects
• Bus terminals
• Transport interchanges
• Passenger transport facilities
• Large commercial developments
• Hospitals and healthcare campuses
• Universities and educational campuses
• Shopping centres
• Large controlled-access developments
• Transport infrastructure projects

Benefits of Clear R135 Signage

• Clearly identifies a roadway designated for buses and midi-buses.
• Communicates the applicable vehicle-class command.
• Helps passenger-transport drivers identify the correct roadway.
• Can support organised movement through transport facilities.
• Can reduce the need for separate command signs where buses and midi-buses share the same facility.
• Can form part of a wider public-transport traffic-management system.
• Provides a standardised command at the beginning of the designated roadway.

Frequently Asked Questions About R135

What does the R135 road sign mean?

R135 means Buses and Midi-Buses Only. It indicates that a public road or portion of a public road has been set aside for buses and midi-buses and imposes a mandatory requirement on those vehicle classes to use the designated roadway. Other classes of road users shall not use the indicated roadway. ([transport.gov.za](https://www.transport.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/V1C2.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

Is R135 a command sign?

Yes. R135 is a regulatory command sign that gives a mandatory instruction concerning the use of the designated roadway by buses and midi-buses. ([transport.gov.za](https://www.transport.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/V1C2.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

Where should an R135 sign be installed?

The SARTSM states that R135 should be displayed at the beginning of a roadway specifically set aside for shared use by buses and midi-buses. It should normally be located on the left side of the applicable public road. ([transport.gov.za](https://www.transport.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/V1C2.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

Can R135 be used on a one-way roadway?

Yes. Where a one-way public road is dedicated to passenger-transport vehicles, the SARTSM recommends displaying the applicable sign on both the left and right sides of the roadway. ([transport.gov.za](https://www.transport.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/V1C2.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

What is the difference between R134 and R135?

R134 is Buses and Minibuses Only, while R135 is Buses and Midi-Buses Only. They therefore apply to different combinations of passenger-transport vehicle classes.

What is the difference between R135 and R136?

R135 applies to buses and midi-buses. R136 applies to buses, midi-buses and minibuses. ([transport.gov.za](https://www.transport.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/V1C2.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

What is the temporary version of R135?

The temporary version is TR135. Where required, it uses the temporary command-sign design with a yellow retroreflective background and outer border and black semi-matt inner border and symbols. ([transport.gov.za](https://www.transport.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/V4C2-part-a.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

Can R135 be used at a shopping centre?

A shopping centre or other private development can use suitable bus and midi-bus traffic-management signage. However, the official R135 designation applies to a public road or portion of a public road, so private-site signage should be selected according to the site's specific traffic-management requirements.

Can R135 be used with other traffic signs?

Yes. Public-transport facilities can require a combination of command, prohibition, reservation, directional and pedestrian signs depending on the traffic arrangement. ([transport.gov.za](https://www.transport.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/V1C2.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

Can Signs4SA supply R135 signs?

Yes. Signs4SA can assist with Buses and Midi-Buses Only – R135 road signs and other regulatory, road, traffic-management and safety signage. Provide the required sign code, dimensions, quantity and installation requirements when requesting a quotation.

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More About Buses and midi-buses only

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