Who may use the EDSA busway?

The Department of Transportation on Wednesday issued a clarification on which vehicles and officials are authorized to use the EDSA busway. 

This was after MMDA officials allowed a convoy to use the busway, supposedly because Senator Bong Revilla was in it. Revilla denied that he had been on EDSA, saying it was not part of his daily ride.

MMDA Task Force Special Operations chief Bong Nebrija faces suspension as a result of the incident. 

DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista then clarified that the following vehicles are authorized to use the Busway:

• LTFRB-authorized buses for the EDSA busway route, including buses with special permits and/or franchises to operate on the EDSA busway route;
• on-duty ambulances, fire trucks, and Philippine National Police vehicles; 
• 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; and
• the following top officials:
  • President of the Philippines
  • Vice President of the Philippines
  • Senate President 
  • Speaker of the House of Representatives 
  • Chief Justice of the Supreme Court 

Stiffer penalties on erring motorists using the EDSA Busway went into effect this week.

Bautista said that imposing stiffer penalties would restrict the use of the busway to authorized buses and vehicles, enhancing its mobility and serviceability. — Sherylin Untalan/BM, GMA Integrated News