15 October 2007
The High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane pilot project between Southgate Mall
and the Crown Interchange got off to a smooth start. The Gauteng Department of
Public Transport, Roads and Works and the City of Johannesburg are piloting a
High Occupancy Vehicle Lane between Southgate Mall and the Crown Interchange,
from 15 to 19 October 2007, on the M1 North in the morning between 6h00 and
9h00.
According to the department's spokesperson Alfred Nhlapo, the HOV Lane will
be used by public transport and private vehicles with three or more occupants.
"This will be on the right hand lane or the so-called fast lane of the
freeway," said Nhlapo. This initiative forms part of the Public Transport Month
Campaign as launched by MEC Ignatius Jacobs on Monday, 1 October 2007.
Nhlapo said high occupancy vehicles intending to off-ramp at Xavier and
Booysens were advised not to use the HOV Lane since this might worsen the
traffic congestion. "Only High Occupancy vehicles intending to off-ramp at
Selby or those taking the M2 East should use the HOV Lane," he said.
According to several studies, traffic congestion amounts to millions of rand
worth of losses in economic opportunities by slowing down economic activity
through preventing people, goods and services from reaching their destinations
on time.
During the launch, MEC Jacobs encouraged people to participate in the
campaign, by using public transport or sharing the ride on private vehicles, so
as to contribute towards finding a sustainable way of using our road space. In
addition, the department also warned that law enforcement officials will be
monitoring the usage of the dedicated lane and will be controlling traffic
along the on ramps and off ramps. "We would like to advise the users of the
dedicated lane to exercise caution when using the dedicated lane, especially
when approaching the on ramps and off ramps," said Nhlapo.
The department will also host a Car Free Day Concert on Saturday, 20 October
2007.
Issued by: Department of Public Transport, Roads and Works, Gauteng
Provincial Government
15 October 2007
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.gautengonline.gov.za)
