Army, Navy vehicles apprehended on EDSA carousel

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority enforcers on Friday flagged down 13 vehicles—including those of the Navy and the Army—for their drivers' unauthorized use of the EDSA carousel busway.

According to Oscar Oida's report on "24 Oras," among those apprehended was a bus of the Navy. The two others were AUVs of the Army, and Navy.

The drivers of the Army and Navy vehicles reportedly were not familiar with the protocols in the use of the EDSA bus way. 

The Department of Transportation has issued an advisory on the vehicles that may use the busway. These are: 

• 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; and
• 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.

Also allowed to use the busway are the vehicles of the following top officials: 

• President of the Philippines,
• Vice President of the Philippines,
• Senate President, 
• Speaker of the House of Representatives, and 
• Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Following the Metro Manila Council's (MMC's) approval of heftier penalties for violations of the EDSA busway, the stiffer fines took effect on 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 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. —Jiselle Casucian/NB, GMA Integrated News