Heftier EDSA Bus Lane violator penalties to take effect Monday

Following the Metro Manila Council's (MMC's) approval of heftier penalties for violations of the EDSA Carousel, a lane dedicated only for buses, the steeper fines would take effect on Monday-November 13.

The MMC approved the heftier fines as motorists were still willing to pay the fines — currently set at P1,000 for the first offense — and violate the bus lane exclusivity because “they can afford it.”

Starting Monday, November 13, first-time offenders would be charged P5,000, while the second offense would entail a P10,000 fine, a one-month suspension of the driver’s license, and a mandatory road safety seminar.

The third offense would have a P20,000 fine on top of a one-year suspension of the driver’s license, while the fourth offense would have a P30,000 fine and a recommendation to the Land Transportation Office for the driver’s license to be revoked.

“‘Yang Bus Carousel ay exclusive sa bus lamang, so ‘pag pumasok ka diyan, alam mo agad na ikaw, you have the intention to violate the law,” Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Procopio Lipana said in Dano Tingcungco's Sunday “24 Oras Weekend” report.

Last June, the MMDA's Bus Management and Dispatch System (BMDS) started monitoring the EDSA Busway to ensure that the flow of buses was well-managed, and would reduce congestion.

The DOTr last December said it planned to privatize the operation of the EDSA Bus Carousel this year and would invite parties to participate in the bidding of the concession agreement. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/DVM, GMA Integrated News