North
9 October 2007
The Gauteng Department of Public Transport, Roads and Works and the City of
Johannesburg will be 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 06h00 and 09h00.
This is part of the Public Transport Month Campaign as launched by MEC
Ignatius Jacobs last week. 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.
High occupancy vehicles intending to off-ramp at Xavier and Booysens are
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. According to studies done in major cites in
the developed world, traffic congestion amounts billions of dollars worth of
losses in economic opportunities by slowing down economic activity. This also
prevents people, goods and services form reaching their destinations on
time.
MEC Jacobs has encouraged people to participate in this 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. He also cited access
to major cities as a very important part of driving economic growth. The
department will also host a Car Free Day Concert on Saturday, 20 October 2007
and the artist line-up will be announced soon.
For more information contact:
Alfred Nhlapo
Tel: on 011 355 7532
Cell: 083 376 8496
Issued by: Department of Public Transport, Roads and Works, Gauteng
Provincial Government
9 October 2007
