Commuters frustrated as Pan Am HOV lanes come into effect
Posted June 29, 2015 5:39 am.
Last Updated June 29, 2015 8:27 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Some commuters were caught off guard and others were frustrated as new rules for the temporary high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes for the upcoming Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games went into effect on Monday morning.
The new lanes have been added to highways 401, 404, and 427, as well as the Don Valley Parkway, Gardiner Expressway, Queen Elizabeth Way, Lake Shore Boulevard, and portions of Jane Street, north of Steeles Avenue.
During the Pan Am Games, the HOV lanes – which run from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. until July 27 – will be open to vehicles with three or more people, public transit, taxis, emergency vehicles, and accredited games vehicles.
For the Parapan Am Games, the HOV lanes will run from July 28 to Aug. 18 between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m., and will be open to vehicles travelling with two or more people.
Drivers are also prohibited from making eastbound and westbound left turns from Lake Shore Boulevard to Parliament and Sherbourne streets until Aug. 18.
Under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA), the fine for incorrect use of HOV lanes on highways is $110 plus three demerit points. However, since the Gardiner and DVP aren’t considered highways under the HTA, the resulting fine is $85 without demerit points attached.
In some locations, lanes used for regular traffic will be re-purposed to HOV lanes. Lane markings will indicate where motorists can enter and exit the lanes.
Toronto and provincial police have been riding along those particular roadways to enforce the temporary restrictions. Signs have been posted to make sure all drivers are aware.
Visitors to CityNews and 680 NEWS didn’t hesitate to voice their frustration over the temporary lanes.
“[We are] no longer allowed to make left turns at Sherbourne or Parliament,” one visitor wrote. “How are people that live downtown supposed to get home with these new lane restrictions?”
“How do they plan on enforcing this rule? I’ve seen a ton of people this morning using the lanes. All with less than three people in their car,” another visitor wrote.
Another pointed out that despite indications otherwise, motorcyclists are being given access to the lanes.
“I just rode in to work, and was pleasantly surprised to see that the signage for the temporary HOV lanes explicitly say that motorcycles are permitted,” the visitor wrote in an email.
One person said she has seen drivers speeding along the HOV lanes.
“Major accidents waiting to happen. Can’t imagine what it will be like in two weeks,” she wrote on Facebook.
Some drivers were not aware of the new rules, despite the fact police and the province have mentioned several times when they would take effect.
“I’ve been aware for weeks, but just slipped my mind this morning,” one driver said.
Other drivers said police enforcement slowed down the commute even more.
“The cops were pulling people over in the right-hand lane, and the left-hand lane is reserved for three or more people, so you end up only having the one lane going right up the middle that you can actually get into the city on,” the driver said.
With 11 days to go until the games, other drivers were wondering why the HOV lanes are in place so early. Ontario Transportation Minister Stephen Del Duca told 680 NEWS on Monday it’s so that people get used to the new rules before thousands of athletes and spectators come to the GTA.
When asked if drivers would be ticketed if they used the HOV lanes in a case where all other lanes of the highway were closed, Del Duca said he is “going to leave that determination to law enforcement because they are the experts.”
“In any case when there’s any kind of collision or for that matter, any kind of rule of the road that’s being enforced, law enforced has discretion to make sure that they’re making decisions, they’re trained to make decisions … that are appropriate to the circumstances that they’re in.”
Police, the province and games’ officials hope the HOV lanes will help keep traffic moving during the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games.
Below are the temporary HOV lane locations, or click here for a mobile-friendly version.
The Pan Am Games will take place from July 10 to 26, and the Parapan Am Games from Aug. 7 to 15. They will feature 51 different sports taking place among 16 host municipalities in and around Toronto.
