Cape Town's outbound bus and minibus taxi (BMT) lane on the N2 is set to be launched next month.
Transport MEC Robin Carlisle said the lane, which will run from Eastern Boulevard up to Borcherds Quarry, would be operational in June.
Carlisle first gave the green light for the lane last April, saying at the time that the department hoped it would cut travelling time for public transport commuters by as much as 40 minutes.
The taxi industry has welcomed the move, but said the new lane would only be effective if it was properly policed.
It is estimated by provincial traffic authorities that the inbound lane, also a BMT lane, which runs from Borcherds Quarry to the M5, has reduced travelling time by 20 minutes.
Carlisle said the main delay in launching the outbound lane lay in concluding agreements with the city, because some parts of the road, such as Eastern Boulevard, fell under the jurisdiction of the City of Cape Town.
"Agreements have now been concluded. Now it's just a matter of doing road markings and signage," Carlisle said.
The 11km inbound BMT lane was launched in 2007 and while travelling time was reduced, there have been concerns about private vehicles travelling in the lane. The lane is reserved for buses and taxis between 5.30am and 9am on weekdays.
Traffic officers have taken a hard line against motorists in private vehicles who use the lane. Last year, more than 5 000 fines were issued to motorists for using the lane illegally. Motorists caught using the lane have to fork out a R300 fine.
The city said it held regular random blitzes to trap offenders. However, the city has said the ideal solution to the problem of motorists using the lane, despite being forbidden to do so, would be to raise the lane, making it impossible for private vehicles to weave into it.
Public transport operators have said they noted that most transgressions took place in the final 2km stretch.
The sector has repeatedly appealed for the introduction of an outbound lane.
The SA National Taxi Council said it welcomed the news of next month's launch.
Vernon Billet, the council's provincial chairman, said the introduction of the lane would make things more convenient for commuters.
However, Billet echoed the view that traffic officers needed to enforce laws to keep private cars out of the lane.
"Private cars in the lane are still a concern, but we hope there will be a behavioural change. People need to be continuously educated about the laws," Billet said.
Golden Arrow Bus Services was not able to comment.
However, last year the company said the inbound lane had allowed them to add additional journeys for their buses.