Beginning Monday next week, private motorists using the exclusive bus lane along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) will face penalties of up to P30,000.
The Metro Manila Council (MMC) approved a resolution increasing penalties for those using the exclusive city bus lane or bus carousel lane along EDSA as the agency noted private vehicles repeatedly disregarding the rules. Fines for violations range from P5,000 to P30,000.
The MMC, composed of the 17 local chief executives in the National Capital Region, is the governing board and policy-making body of the MMDA.
MMDA chairman Romando Artes said there are many errant drivers of private vehicles, motorcycle riders, and other motor vehicles who continually use the exclusive bus lane despite constant warnings and reminders.
The bus carousel lane is for the exclusive use of public utility buses, ambulances, and marked government vehicles responding to emergencies.
“To serve as a deterrent, the MMDA, through the Metro Manila Council, decided to increase the prescribed fines and impose a corresponding suspension of driver’s license depending on the frequency of the offense,” he said.
Currently, the prescribed fine for the violation of the exclusive bus lane regulation is P1,000 for each offense.
Under MMDA Regulation No. 23-002, 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, and Fourth Offense – P30,000 plus recommendation to Land Transportation Office for revocation of driver’s license
The MMDA meanwhile formed a special team to augment the clearing operations of illegally parked vehicles in Mabuhay Lanes and other areas of jurisdiction in the National Capital Region.
The strike force, according to Artes, will be composed of several teams of motorcycle-riding traffic enforcers to be deployed in areas where illegal parking is reported.
The target areas of the team, which will be headed by MMDA General Manager Usec. Procopio Lipana and Traffic Discipline Office Director for Enforcement Victor Nuñez, are those where the agency previously conducted operations.
Mabuhay Lanes serve as alternate routes for private vehicles avoiding the congested EDSA.
Artes urged the public to report to the agency areas where there is a high concentration of illegally parked vehicles. The campaign aims to alleviate road congestion for the upcoming holiday season when traffic is expected to be heavy.
