The HOV lanes are now only open for vehicles that are carrying three people and that caused quite the traffic backup on all major highways in and around the GTA today.
Predictably, social media was rife with reaction. Here’s a look at the good, the bad, the funny and even the entrepreneurial.
The good
Going to the zoo. Excited to fly by everyone on the new HOV lanes with my cat full of kids.
— Adam Edmonds (@adamed) June 29, 2015
Listening to radio I think I'm the only one w/ a BETTER commute from the HOV lanes. Normal commute 20 mins. Today: 13 mins #topoli #onpoli
— Matthew McGuire (@McGuireTO) June 29, 2015
Without #HOVlanes, you would still be stuck in traffic, and so would the people making an attempt to do something good/smart/helpful.
— Branden Wesseling (@BCWesseling) June 29, 2015
Toronto drivers! The MTO has free Carpool lots all over town! Find some people to meet there and use the #HOVlanes! http://t.co/8FQpv3krk9
— Mark Jackson-Brown (@Markster3000) June 29, 2015
Just got home from #TOPride using the #HOV lanes. The only thing that would make them better is if they were permanent. #topoli #onpoli
— Paul Cyr (@thisisPaulC) June 29, 2015
The bad
WORST IDEA OF 2015: reducing the 427 and Gardiner to two lanes A.K.A. ENFORCING HOV LANES #Toronto #PanAmGames
— michelle (@micherreri) June 29, 2015
Traffic today because of #HOV lanes is a reminder that the way we live, and the way our cities are built, are flawed. #toronto
— Ms Kušec (@mskusec) June 29, 2015
@TorontoComms HOV lanes have been open for 11 hrs, and my commute is up almost 40 minutes. Thanks for making Mondays suck more #panamsucks
— Michael Witt (@DJMikeAlonso) June 29, 2015
Soo many cars in the HOV lane today with one person in them... smh
— Alex Paul (@therealalexpaul) June 29, 2015
The entrepreneurial
I give you the solution to getting into the HOV lane! Yet another use for those Christmas inflatables. #TOpoli pic.twitter.com/bUmrah8pJU
— Jim Ducharme (@hugeheadca) June 29, 2015
#HOVlanes getting you stuck in traffic? I'll ride with you so you can use them for only $40/trip! http://t.co/JkqV34rHuN
— Ryan White (@RWhiteGoose) June 29, 2015
So if we all use the #HOVlanes they can't catch us all.
— Nate Hindle (@nthindle) June 29, 2015
Reading about people abusing the @TO2015 HOV lanes & justice-seeking drivers not letting them back into normal lanes. 3 pts & $115 fine. :-)
— Jeremy PHAN (@JPTN) June 29, 2015
How do I get a pass for the HOV lanes? Is it too late to sign up for a sport? #PanAmGames
— Mike Kerr (@michael_kerr) June 29, 2015