Ontario Providing More Commuter Options
Ontario has opened the next round of permit applications and renewals for Canada’s first High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes, which provide another commuter option and help manage congestion.
The HOT lanes are on 16.5 kilometres of the QEW in both directions, from Trafalgar Rd. in Oakville to Guelph Line in Burlington. Vehicles with two or more occupants, or green licence plates, can travel in the lanes for free, while drivers of single-occupant vehicles can apply to purchase a permit.
Applications to purchase or renew permits valid from July 1 to Sep. 30, 2017 are now open until May 31, 2017. Permit holders wishing to renew who have already renewed twice will have to re-enter the application draw this time.
Ontario is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, public transit, roads and bridges in the province’s history. To learn more about what’s happening in your community, go to Ontario.ca/BuildON.
Providing more commuting options is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.
Quick Facts
- Permits cost $180 and are renewable for a maximum of two terms. This allows for a fairer allotment of permits during the pilot.
- Permit applications will be accepted each February, May, August and November and can be submitted at Ontario.ca/HOTLanes.
- Up to 1,000 HOT permits will be made available for each three-month term. If an applicant is not successful in the draw, they can enter a future draw over the duration of the HOT lanes pilot project, which is expected to last two to four years.
- Ontario is including HOT lanes provisions in Greater Toronto Hamilton Area highway expansion projects currently in design or under construction, beginning with Highways 410 and 427.
- As part of the HOT lanes pilot, Ontario is seeking innovative technologies to support tolling, compliance and performance monitoring of HOT lanes. This supports the province’s innovation sector by providing an opportunity to test emerging traffic management and tolling technologies throughout the pilot.
- HOT lanes complement other congestion reducing initiatives, including GO Regional Express Rail that will increase GO train trips by 50 per cent over the next five years with more stops serving more communities.
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