HOV lanes a boost for GO bus commuters, sys Metrolinx

Statistics expected in a few days on how much HOV lanes speeded up GO bus travel but Metrolinx official says feedback has been positive.

Thestar.com
July 28, 2015
By Peter Edwards

The Toronto region’s flirtation with high speed HOV lanes has proven to be a bonus for GO bus commuters, a Metrolinx spokesperson said.

Statistics are expected within a few days on exactly how much the HOV lanes sped up GO bus travel but Burke said the feedback has been positive.

“Our GO buses continue to benefit from the HOV lanes,” Alex Burke of Metrolinx said on Tuesday.

The province increased the amount of HOV lanes from 85 to 235 kilometres for the Pan Am and Parapan Games.

During the Pan Am Games this month, HOV lanes were restricted to vehicles with at least three occupants, as well as buses and taxis.

That changed on Tuesday morning, as you now need just two people in your vehicle to travel in high occupancy vehicle lanes.

Starting Saturday, 2,500 Parapan athletes and officials will begin to arrive in Toronto, Staff-Sergeant Deavin Kealey of Toronto police said.

There were roughly 9,000 athletes and officials in the area for the Pan Am Games.

“Things are going to start ramping up once the Parapan athletes start coming in,” Kealey said.

The temporary HOV lines are slated to be taken down on Aug. 18, after the Parapan Am Games.

Kealey said traffic officers said that drivers seemed to be reacting well on Tuesday to the switch in regulations for HOV occupancy.

“So far, so good,” Kealey said. “They’re saying that the lanes are moving well.”

The penalty for not obeying HOV regulations is a fine of up to $110 and up to three demerit points.