HOV lanes restrictions eased to require 2 occupants

Morning commuters drive along the Don Valley Parkway in Toronto on Tuesday, July 28, 2015.

Drivers wishing to use the designated high-occupancy vehicle lanes in the Toronto area now only need two occupants in the vehicle.

The change to restrictions started Tuesday morning at 5 a.m., two days after the closing ceremony of the Pan Am Games.

As of Tuesday morning, vehicles with two or more occupants can use the marked lanes along major roadways in the Toronto area.

The temporary high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes were created to help Pan Am Games athletes and officials get to and from events, while encouraging carpooling with the advantage of using the temporary lanes.

For the last month, the lanes were only accessible to accredited Games vehicles, motorcycles, taxis, public transit, emergency vehicles and those vehicles with three or more occupants. From July 28 to Aug. 18, the lanes are also open to vehicles with two or more occupants.

Road signs have been converted to reflect the change. The lanes are in effect between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.