Lagot ka! Probe starts on cab driver who blocked EDSA Bus Carousel, LTO to reinforce MMDA in enforcement

Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Vigor Mendoza II has ordered an investigation into two motorists who illegally used the bus carousel, one of them is a cab driver whose taxi blocked several buses during the flooding that hit EDSA on Sept. 23.

The violation committed by the taxi driver was captured in the video released by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) when flood hit the Camp Aguinaldo Gate 3 portion of EDSA in Quezon City.

A screenshot from the video released by the MMDA shows a taxi blocking several buses inside the EDSA Bus Carousel in front of the Camp Aguinaldo Gate 3 when flood hit Metro Manila on Sept. 23, 2023. 

A separate investigation was also ordered by Mendoza on another motorist who almost hit an MMDA traffic enforcer while trying to escape after illegally entering the EDSA Bus Carousel on Sept. 21.

“These motorists who illegally used the EDSA Bus Carousel must be investigated and punished. We recognize the limited manpower of the MMDA to strictly enforce and while the LTO has the same problem, we will tap some of our enforcers to reinforce our brothers in the MMDA in keeping an eye on the EDSA Bus Carousel,” said Mendoza.

The MMDA has repeatedly warned motorists that no private vehicles should use the EDSA Bus Carousel lane or the innermost lanes of EDSA that has been reserved for city buses and vehicles being used for emergency response like ambulance, fire trucks and police cars.

But some motorists would defy these rules amid repeated requests and warnings.