Richard Gomez asks: Why not open EDSA bus lane during heavy traffic?

Leyte Representative Richard Gomez expressed dismay on social media Thursday evening as to why the dedicated bus lane on EDSA could not be opened to other vehicles during heavy traffic.

In a Facebook post, Gomez posed a question about the use of bus lane, saying that only a few buses use it.

The congressman also expressed his frustration about being stuck in traffic in Metro Manila's main thoroughfare.

He said, "2 hours in EDSA traffic and counting. From Makati, Ayala nasa SM Edsa pa lang ako up to now. Eh QC ang punta ko. 1 or 2 hours pa ba?!"

(I have been here in EDSA for two hours and counting. From Makati, Ayala, I'm still here in SM EDSA. I'm going to Quezon City. Will this take one to two hours more?)

"Ilang bus lang ang gumagamit ng bus lane, bakit hindi buksan during heavy traffic para mas lumuwag ang traffic?" Gomez added.

(Only a few buses use the bus lane. Why not open the lane during heavy traffic to ease traffic congestion?)

Sought for comment, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) deferred to matter to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

"DOTr po ang [in charge sa EDSA] bus lane (DOTr is in charge of the EDSA bus lane)," the MMDA communications team told GMA News Online.

Apprehensions on private vehicles using the EDSA bus lane, the MMDA communications team added, are done by the Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (DOTr-SAICT).

GMA News Online has also reached out to Gomez and the DOTr for comment on the matter and will publish their statements as soon as they become available.

Over the past months, authorities have sought to strictly enforce the EDSA bus lane policy without exception.

Only select vehicles such as on-duty ambulances, fire trucks, and Philippine National Police vehicles, among others, may use the bus lane.

For government officials, only the President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court are permitted to use the bus lane as part of their official functions.

Motorists who use the bus lane may face stiffer penalties of up to P30,000.

Under MMDA Regulation 23-002, the increased fines for the violation of 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

Earlier, the MMDA reported that from hundreds of apprehensions at the start of the year, less than 20 drivers were nabbed in March over the illegal use of the EDSA bus lane. — VDV, GMA Integrated News