The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has issued a clear guideline on the use of the EDSA Bus Lane amid efforts of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to keep the busway as free-flowing to traffic as possible for the benefit of the commuters.
In a letter dated Nov. 14 and sent to MMDA chairman Don Artes, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista responded to the guidance being sought by the former on the use of the EDSA Bus Lane following the implementation of higher penalties for those who would illegally encroached on the busway.
Based on the letter, Bautista said only these vehicles are authorized to use the EDSA Bus Lane:
- LTFRB-authorized Buses for the EDSA Busway Route, including bases with Special Permits and/or franchises to operate on the EDSA Busway Route;
- On-duty Ambulances, Fire tracks, and Philippine National Police vehicles, and;
- Service vehicles performing their duties for the EDSA Busway Project, including but not limited to construction, security, janitorial, and maintenance services within the EDSA Busway.
In an interview during the first day of the implementation of stiffer penalties for unauthorized use of EDSA Bus Lane, Artes said he recommended that the five highest officials of the country be exempted from the restriction.
In response, Bautista accepted and approved the recommendation.
And based on the same letter, Bautista said:
To provide assistance in the performance of their duties, the EDSA Busway shall likewise be available for use by the:
- President of the Philippines
- Vice President of the Philippines
- Senate President
- Speaker of the House of Representatives
- Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
Bautista also expressed appreciation to the MMDA for its move to strictly enforce the rules governing the use of the EDSA Bus Lane.
“First and foremost, the Department extends its sincerest gratitude to you the initiative to enforce strict regulation on the EDSA Busway,” Bautista told Artes.
“Considering that the EDSA Busway is operating under a limited capacity, the Department believes that imposing stiffer penalties would restrict its use to authorized buses and therefore enhancing its mobility and serviceability,” he added.
The EDSA Bus Carousel is a project of the DOTr and was first implemented at the height of the travel restriction due to Covid-19 pandemic, the reason why the MMDA sought guidance from Bautista.
No VIPs please
In a press briefing on Thursday, Nov. 16, Artes stressed that all the vehicles that are not included in the list but insisted on using the Bus Lane will be apprehended.
MMDA enforcers are allowing government-marked vehicles to pass the EDSA Bus Lane as a matter of courtesy to other government agencies.
But this time, this is no longer the case as clarified by the DOTr.
As such, all government-marked vehicles and even those with protocol plates will not be allowed to use the EDSA Bus Lane, according to Artes.
He said this rule will be strictly implemented on Monday, Nov. 20.
Stiffer penalties
On Nov. 13, the MMDA started implementing the resolution it approved that imposes higher penalties for the violators of the EDSA Bus Lane.
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
More than 11,000 motorists were apprehended from January to Nov. 10 this year for illegally using the EDSA Bus Lane which prompted the MMDA to approve a resolution that increases the penalty for its unauthorized use.
More than 400 motorists were apprehended on the first day of the implementation of higher penalties on Nov. 13., with hundreds more apprehended in the next two days.