35554
. (a) (1) Notwithstanding Section 35550, the maximum gross
weight on any one axle of a bus shall not exceed 20,500 pounds.
(2) This subdivision does not apply to a transit bus procured
through a solicitation process pursuant to which a solicitation was
issued before January 1, 2016. This subdivision does not apply to a
bus purchased during an option period in a multiyear contract to
purchase transit buses that is entered into before January 1, 2016,
by a publicly owned or operated transit system, or an operator of a
transit system under contract with a publicly owned or operated
transit system, provided, however, that the option period does not
exceed five years from the date of the original contract, or extend
beyond January 1, 2021, whichever is earlier.
(b) A transit bus is not subject to Section 35550.
(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the following provisions
shall apply to a transit bus:
(1) The curb weight on any one axle of a transit bus procured
through a solicitation process pursuant to which a solicitation was
issued between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2018, inclusive,
shall not exceed 23,000 pounds.
(2) The curb weight on any one axle of a transit bus procured
through a solicitation process pursuant to which a solicitation was
issued on or after January 1, 2019, shall not exceed 22,000 pounds.
(d) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a) and (c), the following
provisions shall apply to an articulated transit bus or zero-emission
transit bus:
(1) The curb weight on any one axle of an articulated transit bus
or zero-emission transit bus procured through a solicitation process
pursuant to which a solicitation was issued between January 1, 2016,
and December 31, 2017, inclusive, shall not exceed 25,000 pounds.
(2) The curb weight on any one axle of an articulated transit bus
or zero-emission transit bus procured through a solicitation process
pursuant to which a solicitation was issued between January 1, 2018,
and December 31, 2019, inclusive, shall not exceed 24,000 pounds.
(3) The curb weight on any one axle of an articulated transit bus
or zero-emission transit bus procured through a solicitation process
pursuant to which a solicitation was issued between January 1, 2020,
and December 31, 2021, inclusive, shall not exceed 23,000 pounds.
(4) The curb weight on any one axle of an articulated transit bus
or zero-emission transit bus procured through a solicitation process
pursuant to which a solicitation was issued on or after January 1,
2022, shall not exceed 22,000 pounds.
(e) Nothing in this article shall be construed to authorize a
vehicle described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) or described in
subdivision (c) or (d) to be operated in violation of Section 35753.
(f) A transit operator operating an articulated transit bus shall,
by July 1, 2016, provide notice to all cities and counties in whose
jurisdiction the bus will operate in the upcoming calendar year,
identifying the approximate routes upon which the bus is expected to
be scheduled for service, including the names of streets and roads
upon which that service is likely to take place. Thereafter, a
transit operator operating an articulated transit bus shall annually
provide notice by July 1, to all cities and counties in whose
jurisdiction the bus will operate in the upcoming calendar year,
identifying any changes to the service on those routes and any new
routes upon which the bus is expected to be scheduled for the
upcoming year. The notice shall include data from information
provided by the bus manufacturer to the transit operator, identifying
the weight of the articulated bus.
(g) For purposes of this section, the term "curb weight" means the
total weight of a fully loaded transit bus, including maximum fuel,
oil, and coolant, and all equipment used in the normal operation of
the bus, except without passengers or a driver.
(h) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a) to (g), inclusive, a transit
bus shall not operate on the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of
Interstate and Defense Highways in excess of the weight limitation
for transit buses specified in federal law.
(i) If the gross weight imposed upon the highway by the wheels on
any one axle of a transit bus exceeds 20,000 pounds, the axle shall
be supported by four wheels bearing load upon the highway.