Assemblyman Mike Gatto’s (D-Glendale) legislation aimed at reducing traffic and increasing efficiency of Los Angeles County’s freeway system was vetoed by Governor Jerry Brown this week despite receiving approval from the state Senate on a 34-0 vote.

The bill, AB 210, would have created a pilot project to help ease traffic congestion during non-traditional commute times by permitting single-occupancy vehicles to access the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, also known as “carpool lanes,” during non-peak hours.

The proposed change included the 134 freeway from North Hollywood to Pasadena, including Burbank and Glendale; the 210 freeway from Pasadena to Glendora, including Monrovia, Duarte, and San Dimas; and other freeways in Los Angeles County deemed appropriate by the Department of Transportation.

“I am returning Assembly Bill 210 without my signature. I vetoed a nearly identical bill last session,” Brown said in a statement. “I continue to believe that carpool lanes are especially important in Los Angeles County to reduce pollution and maximize the use of freeways. Therefore, we should continue to retain the current 24/7 carpool lane control.”

Unlike Northern California, where HOV lane restrictions are in place only during peak commute hours, HOV lanes in Southern California are restricted on a 24-hour basis. However, many commuters along the 134 and 210 corridor do not work traditional hours.

“Carpool lanes are intended to increase the capacities of our freeways, reward those who carpool during rush hour, and protect the surrounding environment from harmful exhaust,” Gatto explained before the legislation was vetoed. “When motorists are stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic at midnight while carpool lanes sit empty, none of those goals are met.”