I-ACT Reports Decrease in Number of Private Vehicles Using EDSA Busway

MANILA: Following its intensified enforcement on violators, the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT) has noticed a reduction in private vehicles using the EDSA Busway.

I-ACT Chief Charlie Del Rosario stated at a Laging Handa briefing on Monday that in the past few days, there had been an average of 100 traffic violators caught by I-ACT enforcers per day as opposed to 400 when the crackdown started.

According to Del Rosario, the apprehended violators are reported to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) where they can pay their fine, which can reach up to P1,000.

In addition to paying a fine, Del Rosario noted that violators accrue “points” in the LTO's system, which prevents them from renewing with a 10-year driver's license and even leads to suspension of license for those who accumulate 40 points.

He mentioned that many motorists are apprehended even when there is light traffic on the private lanes of EDSA.

“Sa totoo, wala namang trapik. Hindi lang natin malaman kung bakit nagpipilit silang dumaan diyan (Actually, there is no traffic. We just don't know why they insist on going there),” Del Rosario stated.

He highlighted that only government emergency vehicles are permitted to use the EDSA Busway, aside from the around 550 public utility buses that have been given permission to use the lanes.

He urged motorists to abide by traffic laws and emphasized that several government agencies, including the LTO, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), local government units, and the Philippine National Police (PNP), support the I-ACT in enforcing these rules.

Photos from Philippine News Agency and Department of Transportation

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