The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that an increase in fines for exclusive city bus lane/bus carousel lane regulation along EDSA will be imposed starting Monday, November 13.
MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes warned motorists not to pass through the EDSA Bus Carousel lane if they are unauthorized to use it or they will face stiffer penalties.
Under the MMDA Regulation No. 23-002, 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:
First Offense – P5,000
Second Offense – P10,000 plus one month suspension of driver’s license, and required to undergo a road safety seminar
Third Offense – P20,000 plus one year suspension of driver’s license
Fourth Offense – P30,000 plus recommendation to Land Transportation Office for revocation of driver’s license
According to Artes, they have been receiving reports that some drivers evade apprehension by speeding off their vehicles when flagged down.
“These EDSA bus lane violators will be reported to the Land Transportation Office and penalties will be attached to the vehicle owners,”
“These EDSA bus lane violators will be reported to the Land Transportation Office and penalties will be attached to the vehicle owners,” he said.
Artes pointed out that the increase in penalties for EDSA bus lane violators is for the safety of motorists and undisrupted travel of authorized city buses plying in the exclusive lane.
Faster turnaround time of buses, carrying 50 to 60 passengers, benefits lots of commuters.
The increased fines apply on both drivers of public and private vehicles who are not authorized to use the exclusive bus lane.
Meanwhile, Artes also bared the formation of a strike force that will augment the clearing operations of illegally-parked vehicles in Mabuhay Lanes and other areas of jurisdiction in Metro Manila.
The strike force will be composed of several teams of motorcycle-riding traffic enforcers to be deployed on areas where illegal parking is reported.
The strike force will be headed by MMDA General Manager Undersecretary Procopio Lipana and Traffic Discipline Office Director for Enforcement Atty. Victor Nuñez.
Target areas for the strike force are those where the agency previously conducted operations.
“The strike force shall conduct regular clearing operations on all Mabuhay Lanes and reported areas to ensure that alternate routes for EDSA are passable and obstruction-free.”
“The strike force shall conduct regular clearing operations on all Mabuhay Lanes and reported areas to ensure that alternate routes for EDSA are passable and obstruction-free. They will be equipped with body-worn cameras and handheld ticketing devices which they will use in their operation,” Artes explained.
He also urged the public to report to the agency areas where there is a high concentration of illegally-parked vehicles.
