The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has issued fresh guidelines on the use of EDSA Busway amid rising violators.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the dedicated lane is for public utility buses (PUB) moving as many commuters as possible.
But in his letter to Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chief Romando Artes, Bautista said the authorized vehicles that can freely use the EDSA busway include TFRB-authorized buses for the EDSA busway route as those with special permits and/or franchise to operate on the EDSA busway route and on-duty ambulances, fire trucks, and Philippine National Police vehicles.
He also said service vehicles performing their duties for the EDSA Busway Project, including but not limited to construction, security, janitorial, and maintenance services within the EDSA Busway can also use the lane.
According to Bautista, the following officials, including the President, the Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Supreme Court Chief Justice, are free to use the EDSA Busway beginning Monday.
Bautista lauded the MMDA for enforcing the rules set out by the DOTr to move more commuters and ensure mobility along the country’s busiest thoroughfare.
Hefty penalties are also necessary to deter motorists from unauthorized use of the busway, he added.
“Considering that the EDSA Busway is operating under a limited capacity, the Department believes that imposing stiffer penalties would restrict its use to authorized buses and therefore enhancing its mobility and serviceability,” Bautista told Artes in a letter.
Fines and penalties for unauthorized use of the busway amount to P5,000 for the first offense and P10,000 for the second offense. The driver’s license will also be suspended for one month and compulsory participation in a road safety seminar.
Third time violators will be charged 20,000 fine plus one-year suspension of driver’s license while a fourth offense is fined P30,000 plus a recommendation to the Land Transportation Office for the revocation of the license.
The fines and penalties apply on both public and private vehicles.
