MMDA to jack up fines vs EDSA Bus Lane violators

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is set to raise the fines for violating the regulation on the bus carousel lane along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA).

According to MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Romando Artes, the eyed increase on fines will be implemented following the agency’s monitoring that many private vehicles, motorcycle riders, and other motor vehicles users are disregarding the rules for it.

“To serve as a deterrent, the MMDA, through the Metro Manila Council (MMC), decided to increase the prescribed fines and impose corresponding suspension of driver’s license depending on the frequency of offense,” Artes explained.

Currently, the prescribed fine for the violation of the exclusive bus lane regulation is at P1,000 for each offense.

Under the 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
• Fourth Offense: P30,000 plus recommendation to Land Transportation Office for revocation of driver’s license

The MMDA executive also downplayed that the jacked-up penalties are anti-poor or a money-making scheme.

“Based on our data and observation, there are those who are willing to pay the P1,000 fines and violate the exclusivity of the bus lane because they can afford it… kalimitan kotse ng mayayaman (usually the vehicles of the rich people),” he said.

Artes also clarified that the agency will first conduct information campaigns to make the public aware prior to its full implementation.

He also said that the while the MMC has already approved the implementation, the date of the no window hour coding scheme has yet to be determined.

“We will assess first the situation of Metro Manila roads from November 6-12, after the return of vacationers from the provinces for the Undas break. We expect 15-20 percent additional vehicle volume as the holiday nears, that’s the time we will decide whether or not to implement the 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. number coding scheme in Metro Manila.”

The current number coding hours, (7 a.m.-10 a.m. and 5 p.m.-8 p.m. will still be observed, Artes stated.

Photos from Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

Also read:

MMDA issues stern warning to motorists to stay out of EDSA Busway

Roving patrols to be deployed along EDSA Busway to eliminate criminal cases

Labor group opposes planned privatization of EDSA Bus Carousel