State reverting to original zipper-lane rules Monday

Advertiser Staff

Beginning Monday, O'ahu commuters will need at least three people in a vehicle to use the H-1 Freeway's zipper lane in the early morning.

State transportation officials said this week they are reverting to original zipper-lane rules, which require three occupants from 5 to 7 a.m. on weekdays. Vehicles with two occupants or more can use the zipper lane from 7 to 8:30 a.m.

During last year's bus strike on O'ahu, DOT opened the zipper lane to all cars with at least two occupants and kept it at that limit when the strike ended.

"We wanted to see how traffic would flow with two people per vehicle in the zipper lane but found it became too congested," Transportation Director Rod Haraga said. "We want the zipper lane to continue to be an incentive for ridesharing."