Complaints and jams as high-occupancy vehicle lane becomes operational

The HOV lane has been virtually empty

High-occupancy vehicle lane in Palma, Mallorca

The HOV lane (left) is virtually empty. | DGT, Traffic Directorate

Andrew EdePalma02/11/2022 18:18

The first day of the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane in Palma being operational has been marked by complaints and traffic jams.

Although some drivers may not have been aware of the rules regarding the use of the lane, a cause of the problems would seem to be the road marking for the HOV lane. It has a continuous white line, and so traffic has been staying in the middle lane even if vehicles may comply with the rules. Joining the lane directly from the airport isn't a problem, but at other points it is.

On Wednesday, the Partido Popular opposition at the Council of Mallorca described the situation as "total chaos". "All it has done is cause queues by dispensing with a lane for most drivers. The HOV lane is empty and the other two lanes are completely jammed."

The councillor for mobility, Iván Sevillano, said that an objective is being achieved - one of prioritising public transport. He posted a video showing a bus travelling freely along the HOV lane and cars stopped in the other two lanes. "We have to be prudent," he noted, "as mobility habits don't change from one day to the next".

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2 comments

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John Paterson | over 2 years ago

Nigel MaudeThat's exactly the point that people are moaning about. Your gridlocked unless a very nice person who's nit in a hurry let's you in?

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Nigel Maude | over 2 years ago

Just a thought, if you are a bus or taxi in the outside lane how do you get to an exit if the 2 inside lanes are gridlocked? Also, if the 2 lanes are gridlocked, how do you get to the airport exit on the 2 lane section?