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Ontario Proposes Allowing Solo Drivers in HOV Lanes During Off-Peak Hours
Ontario's plan to allow solo drivers in HOV lanes off-peak aims to reduce congestion and improve travel times, with 72% of vehicles currently single-occupant, officials said.
- On March 17, 2026 the Ford government announced a proposal to allow single-occupant vehicles into HOV lanes by amending the Highway Traffic Act to ease gridlock and improve travel times, Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said.
- HOV lanes, created to encourage carpooling, were introduced to reduce congestion and are reserved for vehicles with two or more occupants and select vehicle types, while ministry modelling shows the change would reduce travel times and ease gridlock.
- Infrastructure data show Ontario has 237 kilometres of HOV lanes with 146 more planned, some stretches including the QEW, Highway 403 and Highway 410 operate as HOT lanes, and commercial vehicles longer than 6.5 metres remain barred.
- Off-Peak hours will be set after traffic analysis and consultations, with regulations expected later this year, while existing rules will continue outside off-peak times.
- The announcement follows other Ford government moves including bike-lane removals and a $9-million study on a buried highway, while critics question timing and call for evidence amid 72 per cent single-occupant vehicles in 2022.
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No more mannequins? Ontario proposes major change to HOV lanes that would allow solo drivers during off-peak hours
Ontario is exploring changes to allow single-occupant vehicles in HOV lanes during off-peak hours to fight gridlock. Changes could take effect by 2026.
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Total News Sources29
Leaning Left21Leaning Right1Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution88% Left
Bias Distribution
- 88% of the sources lean Left
88% Left
L 88%
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