Additional Info

Buses, Trams and Minibuses Only – R140 Road Sign

The Buses, Trams and Minibuses Only road sign, identified as R140, is a South African regulatory command sign used to indicate that a public road or portion of a public road has been set aside for buses, trams and minibuses only.

R140 provides a mandatory instruction identifying the vehicle classes permitted to use the designated roadway. Where the sign applies, the relevant buses, trams and minibuses may use the designated road or road section, while other classes of road users shall not use the roadway identified by the sign.

What Does the R140 Road Sign Mean?

R140 means Buses, Trams and Minibuses Only.

The sign indicates that a public road or portion of a public road has been specifically designated for these three passenger-transport vehicle classes.

R140 is a regulatory command sign, meaning that it is used to communicate a mandatory traffic requirement rather than simply providing information about a route.

Where Is R140 Used?

R140 may be used where buses, trams and minibuses need to share a designated public roadway or road section as part of a public transport or light rail system.

Possible applications can include:

• Dedicated public transport corridors
• Bus and tram routes
• Light rail transport facilities
• Public transport interchanges
• Dedicated passenger-transport roadways
• Transport infrastructure projects
• Shared bus, tram and minibus facilities
• Designated public transport access routes

The exact application depends on the road layout, transport system and requirements of the responsible road authority.

How R140 Controls Traffic

R140 identifies a roadway that has been set aside for the vehicle classes shown on the sign. The South African Road Traffic Signs Manual states that R138, R139 and R140 should be displayed at the beginning of a roadway set aside for the relevant passenger-transport vehicle types.

When R140 is displayed, vehicles of the relevant classes are required to use the designated roadway, and other classes of vehicles may not use the roadway identified by the sign.

R140 Compared With R138 and R139

R140 forms part of a group of regulatory command signs for tram and public transport facilities:

• R138: Trams Only
• R139: Buses and Trams Only
• R140: Buses, Trams and Minibuses Only

The difference is the combination of vehicle classes covered by each sign. R140 is used where all three classes—buses, trams and minibuses—are intended to use the designated roadway.

R140 and Public Transport Infrastructure

Public transport facilities can require different traffic controls depending on how buses, minibuses and tram or light rail services operate.

R140 can form part of a wider traffic-management system for a designated public transport corridor. Other signs and road markings may also be required for pedestrian crossings, junctions, stops, access points, directions and other traffic movements.

The appropriate combination of signs should be determined according to the road design and applicable requirements of the responsible road authority.

R140 Sign Placement

The R140 sign should be displayed at the beginning of the roadway or road section set aside for buses, trams and minibuses.

Placement should provide suitable visibility to approaching road users and should take account of junctions, entrances, road geometry and other traffic signs.

The South African Road Traffic Signs Manual provides the applicable requirements for the use and placement of R140.

R140 Sign Design and Colours

The permanent R140 sign uses:

• Background: Blue retroreflective
• Border: White retroreflective
• Symbols: White retroreflective

These specifications are provided in SARTSM Volume 4 for R140.

R140 Sign Size

R140 has three vehicle symbols on the sign face. Because of this, SARTSM provides R140 with a special range of larger-than-standard sizes.

The applicable dimensions should therefore be selected according to the relevant SARTSM specifications and the road environment in which the sign will be installed. SARTSM Volume 4 specifically states that R140 is to be specified one size larger than other signs in the class.

R140 for Bus, Tram and Minibus Routes

R140 can be useful where different forms of public transport share the same designated roadway.

By showing the three relevant vehicle symbols on one regulatory sign, R140 communicates which passenger-transport vehicle classes are permitted to use the designated public road or road section.

This can be particularly relevant to transport infrastructure where conventional buses, minibuses and tram or light rail services operate within the same designated transport corridor.

R140 and Other Road Users

R140 is not a general public transport information sign. It is a regulatory command sign.

Where R140 identifies a public road or portion of a public road for buses, trams and minibuses, other classes of vehicles shall not use the roadway identified by the sign.

R140 and Road Traffic Management

R140 may form part of a broader traffic-management system. Depending on the site and road design, additional signage may be required for:

• Bus and tram stops
• Minibus access
• Passenger loading areas
• Pedestrian crossings
• Road junctions
• Transport interchanges
• Traffic directions
• Stopping and parking controls
• Access and exit points
• Other public transport movements

The appropriate signs and road markings depend on the specific transport facility and applicable traffic-management requirements.

R140 on Private Property

Shopping centres, hospitals, office parks, transport facilities and other private developments may have internal roads used by buses or minibuses.

However, the official R140 designation refers to a public road or portion of a public road. Private-property traffic signs should therefore be selected according to the site's traffic-management requirements and should not automatically be represented as an official public-road R140 installation.

Who May Need R140 Signs?

R140 signage may be relevant to organisations involved in public transport and transport infrastructure, including:

• Municipalities
• Road authorities
• Public transport authorities
• Light rail projects
• Tram infrastructure projects
• Transport infrastructure contractors
• Traffic-management contractors
• Public transport facilities
• Transport interchanges
• Urban transport development projects

Benefits of Clear R140 Signage

• Clearly identifies a roadway designated for buses, trams and minibuses.
• Provides one regulatory command covering three passenger-transport vehicle classes.
• Communicates a mandatory vehicle-access requirement.
• Helps identify the beginning of a designated public transport roadway.
• Supports organised traffic management for shared public transport facilities.
• Can form part of a wider bus, minibus and tram or light rail signage system.

Frequently Asked Questions About R140 Road Signs

What does the R140 road sign mean?

R140 means Buses, Trams and Minibuses Only. It indicates that a public road or portion of a public road has been set aside for these vehicle classes.

Is R140 a regulatory sign?

Yes. R140 is a regulatory command sign that provides a mandatory instruction regarding the vehicle classes permitted to use the designated roadway.

Can cars use an R140 roadway?

Where R140 applies to a public road or portion of a public road, other classes of vehicles are not permitted to use the roadway identified by the sign.

What is the difference between R139 and R140?

R139 is for buses and trams only, while R140 is for buses, trams and minibuses only.

What is the difference between R138 and R140?

R138 is for trams only. R140 covers buses, trams and minibuses.

Where should R140 be installed?

R140 should be displayed at the beginning of the roadway or road section designated for buses, trams and minibuses, subject to the applicable road-sign requirements.

What colour is an R140 sign?

The permanent R140 sign has a blue retroreflective background with a white retroreflective border and symbols.

Why is R140 larger than some other regulatory signs?

R140 contains three vehicle symbols. SARTSM therefore provides a special range of larger-than-standard sizes and specifies that R140 should be one size larger than other signs in its class.

Can Signs4SA supply R140 signs?

Yes. Signs4SA can assist with R140 Buses, Trams and Minibuses Only road signs and other regulatory and traffic-management signage. Provide your required dimensions, quantity, specifications and installation requirements when requesting a quotation.

Order Buses, Trams and Minibuses Only – R140 Road Signs

Need R140 Buses, Trams and Minibuses Only signs for a public transport route, light rail project, transport facility or designated roadway?

Contact Signs4SA to discuss your R140 signage requirements, provide your specifications and request a quotation.

Buses, trams and mini-buses only signs come in a variety of styles and formats, including danger signs, warning signs, and caution signs. Danger signs are used to indicate an immediate threat that could cause serious injury or death, such as high voltage areas or hazardous materials. Warning signs are used to indicate potential hazards that could cause injury, such as slippery floors or falling objects. Caution signs are used to indicate potential hazards that could cause minor injury, such as low ceilings or uneven surfaces. Another type of safety sign is the Buses, trams and mini-buses only sign, which is used to provide guidance on safe behavior. These signs can include instructions on how to use equipment or machinery safely, as well as reminders to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) or follow specific safety protocols. Buses, trams and mini-buses only signs can also be used to ensure compliance with safety regulations. For example, fire safety signs are required by law in most public buildings and workplaces. These signs indicate the location of fire exits, fire extinguishers, and other fire safety equipment.

More About Buses, trams and mini-buses only

Safety signs are an essential part of any workplace or public space. They are used to warn people of potential hazards, provide guidance on safe behavior, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. One type of safety sign is the Buses, trams and mini-buses only sign, which is designed to alert people to potential dangers in a particular area. Buses, trams and mini-buses only signs come in a variety of styles and formats, including danger signs, warning signs, and caution signs. Danger signs are used to indicate an immediate threat that could cause serious injury or death, such as high voltage areas or hazardous materials. Warning signs are used to indicate potential hazards that could cause injury, such as slippery floors or falling objects. Caution signs are used to indicate potential hazards that could cause minor injury, such as low ceilings or uneven surfaces. Another type of safety sign is the Buses, trams and mini-buses only sign, which is used to provide guidance on safe behavior. These signs can include instructions on how to use equipment or machinery safely, as well as reminders to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) or follow specific safety protocols. Buses, trams and mini-buses only signs can also be used to ensure compliance with safety regulations. For example, fire safety signs are required by law in most public buildings and workplaces. These signs indicate the location of fire exits, fire extinguishers, and other fire safety equipment. In addition to these types of safety signs, there are also specialized signs available for specific industries or hazards. For example, construction sites may use signs to indicate the location of underground utilities or to warn of falling debris. Healthcare facilities may use signs to remind employees to wash their hands or to indicate the location of first aid supplies. When selecting safety signs, it is important to choose signs that are appropriate for the specific hazard or situation. Signs should be placed in prominent locations where they are easily visible, and should be made from durable materials that can withstand harsh environmental conditions. By using safety signs effectively, businesses and organizations can help protect their employees, customers, and visitors from harm.

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