Over 300 motorists apprehended for using EDSA Bus Lane, to pay higher fines
More than 300 motorists were apprehended and will be the first batch to pay the higher fine for unauthorized use of EDSA Bus Lane as the stiffer penalty approved by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for that violation took effect on Monday, Nov. 13.
MMDA Chairman Don Artes led the implementation of the agency’s Regulation No. 23-002 which was crafted to discourage motorists from using the EDSA Bus Lane to avoid traffic especially during rush hours
Artes was with Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Vigor Mendoza II during the first day of the implementation, the latter’s presence is apparently a show of force amid reports that some violators would evade MMDA enforcers once they are flagged down.
During the operation, the 310 erring motorists were apprehended in the first few hours of the implementation near the SM Megamall and Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong; near the Baliwag Bus Terminal and Main Avenue in Quezon City; and near Magallanes in Makati City.
The number of apprehended motorists was as of 9 a.m. Monday.
Under the MMDA Regulation which was approved by the Metro Manila Council, the increased fines for the violation of exclusive city bus lane/EDSA carousel lane regulation for both public and private vehicles are:
1st Offense – P5,000
2nd Offense – P10,000 plus one month suspension of driver’s license, and required to undergo a road safety seminar
3rd Offense – P20,000 plus one year suspension of driver’s license
4th Offense – P30,000 plus recommendation to Land Transportation Office for revocation of driver’s license
The unauthorized use of the EDSA Bus Lane has been a problem in the past months as a number of motorists would encroach on the lanes intended for passenger buses to escape traffic jams.
More than 11,000 motorists were already apprehended since January this year, the highest number of apprehensions were recorded in July with 4,395 violators and June and August with 1,916 violators and 1,021 violators, respectively.
From November 1 to 10 this year, a total of 296 motorists were apprehended.
Aside from passenger buses, other vehicles authorized to use the EDSA Bus Lanes were ambulances, fire trucks and marked vehicles of the police and the military.
Artes said they are now conducting consultation with concerned authorities to give the same courtesy to the official vehicles of the President, Vice President, Speaker of the House, Senate President, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.