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Ontario HOT lane pilot project kicks off this week

September 11th, 2016  |  Auto

In just a few days on September 15, some of Ontario’s high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes will become high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes.

The HOT lane idea has been in the works for a while now. The idea is to make better use of HOV lanes in order to relieve traffic congestion. The way this would work is that for vehicles with 2 or more people as well as special vehicles like emergency cars and buses, the lane is just like the HOV lanes we already know. But now there is a toll drivers can pay to use the lanes without fear of penalty.

According to the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario, permits cost $180 and are valid for three month terms. Only 1,000 permits will be granted per term at this time. Meanwhile the penalty for using an HOT lane is a fine of $250 to $2,500.

The toll lane project will only affect a 16.5 km stretch of the QEW between Trafalgar Road in Oakville and Guelph Line in Burlington. The pilot project is expected to continue for the next several years. It isn’t clear whether anymore HOV lanes will be converted to HOT lanes before then.