Taxis in the HOV Lane

I wish that the answer was a simple yes or no. Unfortunately, it isn't, and it all depends on the sign. Here's the applicable legislation:

Rules for use of high occupancy lanes

42.02(2)  A driver of a vehicle that is not a high occupancy vehicle must not use a high occupancy vehicle lane on a highway other than a freeway except if necessary

(a) to make a right turn from the lane, at the first intersection where the turn is permitted, to access a highway intersecting the lane or premises adjacent to the lane,

(b) to make a right turn from an intersecting highway or premises adjacent to the lane, at the first intersection where the turn is permitted, to access the highway in which the lane is situated, or

(c) to merge into an adjacent vehicle lane for the purposes of paragraph (b).

(3)  Subsection (2) does not apply to

(a) the driver of a marked vehicle responding to a disabled vehicle or another emergency on the laned roadway where the high occupancy vehicle lane is located,

(b) the driver of an emergency vehicle,

(c) a peace officer on active duty,

(d) an operator of a cycle, motor cycle, taxi or handy dart vehicle, or

(e) the driver of a blood delivery vehicle while transporting blood or blood products.

(4)  Despite subsection (3) (d), subsection (2) applies to an operator of a cycle, motor cycle, taxi or handy dart vehicle if a traffic control device specifies that the operator is not to use the high occupancy vehicle lane except as specified in subsection (2).

It appears that a taxi with only the driver in it may use an HOV lane unless there is a sign that says taxis must have the required number of occupants before they can use the HOV lane.