TORONTO — Ontario’s Liberal government is opening “High-Occupancy Vehicle” lanes on portions of Highways 403 and 404.

The new lanes — which exclude commercial trucks — are for buses and vehicles carrying at least two passengers. Ineligible drivers can face a $500 fine.

“HOV lanes encourage carpooling, which will move more people in fewer vehicles,” said Transport Minister Harinder Takhar in a news release.

The first HOV lanes will open Dec. 13 on Hwy 404 — southbound from Highway 7 to the 401 — and Hwy 403 in both directions between the 407 and the 401.

The lanes will be in the leftmost lane of the highway are marked by special signs and diamond symbols on the pavement. Drivers can enter and exit the HOV lane only at designated points.

The opposition Tories support the concept, although the government’s plan should have been implemented long ago, says PC transportation critic John O’Toole.

“In fact, you might say it’s the first admission by this government of
the real underlying problem here of gridlock. That’s really the problem,” he says. “Some would say it’s too little, too late.”

O’Toole also suggested that with this policy “the devil is in the details.” He warned that careful monitoring must take place to ensure drivers make an easy transition to the new policy.

“The incidence of accidents in these lanes is well known — as much as a 58 percent increase in some jurisdictions,” he says.

The Ontario government has spent more than $100 million to build HOV lanes.