MMDA says number of EDSA Busway policy violators 'on a decline'

More motorists are beginning to follow the EDSA (Epifanio delos Santos Avenue) Busway policy as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) saw a significant decline on the number of apprehensions.

During yesterday’s morning rush hour operations, MMDA Assistant General Manager for Operations Assistant Secretary David Angelo Vargas said that compared to last week, there were only minimal number of vehicles violating the regulation.

“At around 8:30-9 a.m. last week, we have usually apprehended more or less 60 violators. But today, we have observed that there was minimal number of unauthorized vehicles entering the exclusive bus lane,” he said.

Per Vargas, the decrease in apprehension is due to the consistency in the agency’s daily operations against erring motorists as well as the imposition of stiffer penalties.

“Motorists are gradually obeying traffic rules and regulations in Metro Manila, particularly the EDSA Busway policy,” he stressed.

As of 11 a.m. Monday (December 4), only 29 were road users caught: 26 of which are motorcycles while three are cars.

Relatedly, the MMDA will also boost its anti-illegal parking operations along Mabuhay Lanes that serve as alternate routes to those who do not want to use EDSA.

Vargas also said that the MMDA will further intensify anti-illegal parking operations particularly along Mabuhay Lanes which are alternative routes for those who wanted to avoid EDSA.

He then encouraged the public to serve as a citizens watch patrol to report areas where there are a large number of illegally-parked vehicles. “You can report to us your locations where there are many illegally parked vehicles and we will verify it and coordinate with the local government units before we operate at the area,” Vargas said.

The official also reminded motorists to avoid Christmas rush traffic by doing early Christmas shopping since there is an expected 20 percent increase in vehicular volume during the holiday season.

Photos from Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

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