Heftier fines vs EDSA Bus Carousel regulation violators to be imposed next week

Starting next week, motorists who will not follow the bus lane/bus carousel lane regulation along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) are facing stiffer penalties.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said that the heavier fines are set to be imposed beginning November 13.

Below are the following fines that will be implemented under MMDA Regulation No. 23-002 (approved by the Metro Manila Council):

• First Offense: P5,000
• Second Offense: P10,000 plus one month suspension of driver’s license, and shall be 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

MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Romando Artes reiterated that unauthorized motorists should not pass through the EDSA Bus Carousel Lane to avoid getting slapped with the new penalty — which is aimed at safeguarding motorists while avoiding disruption the travel of authorized city buses plying in the exclusive lane.

The punishments, the MMDA shared, shall apply on both drivers of public and private vehicles.

Further, Artes said that the MMDA has 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," he said.

Meanwhile, the MMDA has created a strike force that will augment the clearing operations of illegally-parked vehicles in Mabuhay Lanes and other areas of jurisdiction in Metro Manila.  

Headed by MMDA General Manager Undersecretary Procopio Lipana and Traffic Discipline Office Director for Enforcement Atty. Victor Nuñez, the strike force will be composed of motorcycle-riding traffic enforcers that will be deployed on areas where illegal parking is reported.  

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. They will be equipped with body-worn cameras and handheld ticketing devices which they will use in their operation," Artes said.

Artes also urged the public to report to the agency areas where there is a high concentration of illegally-parked vehicles.

Photos from Department of Transportation Facebook page, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

Also read:

LTO to deploy additional personnel to man EDSA bus lane

MMDA warns motorists, riders: stay out of EDSA Carousel bus lane

MMDA junks proposal to remove EDSA Bus Carousel