Solo drivers will soon be able to use HOV lanes in off-peak hours: transportation minister - Lemmy.World

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/44426628 [https://lemmy.world/post/44426628] > Ford government says allowing single drivers in high-occupancy vehicle lanes will help fight gridlock > > Highway lanes designated for carpoolers will soon be opened up to solo drivers at certain times of the day, Ontario’s transportation minister said Tuesday. > > The Ford government’s latest attempt to reduce gridlock — which has included an ongoing effort to remove bike lanes in downtown Toronto and a $9-million study on the feasibility of digging a subterranean highway under Highway 401 — will allow anyone to use high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes during off-peak hours, Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said in a news release. > > HOV lanes, as described on the province’s website, are already intended to help manage congestion. They are also designed to encourage carpooling and reduce “transportation-related” emissions by getting more cars off the road. > > Single-occupant vehicles made up 72 per cent of traffic on provincial highways as of 2022, according to government data shared in the release Tuesday. > > Right now, only vehicles with two or more occupants, buses, licensed taxis, green-plate vehicles, airport limousines, motorcycles and emergency vehicles can use HOV lanes. > > HOV lanes are already available to some solo drivers, depending on what they’re driving. If you’re in a low-carbon vehicle like a plug-in hybrid or electric car, you don’t need a passenger. > > Commercial vehicles longer than 6.5 metres would still be restricted from using HOV lanes under the proposed changes.