The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) started imposing higher fines for the EDSA Bus Lane violators. The MMDA is working with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) as well as the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) in implementing stiffer fines.
The said government agencies conducted operations in various locations in EDSA last November 13 to apprehend motorists violating the exclusive bus lane along the said thoroughfare. The MMDA shared that it has issued 514 violation tickets during the first day of implementing higher fines for EDSA Bus Lane violators.
For your reference, here is the list of fines under the MMDA Regulation No. 23-002:
- First offense – Php 5,000
- Second offense – Php 10,000 plus one-month suspension of driver’s license, and required to undergo a road safety seminar
- Third offense – Php 20,000 plus one-year suspension of driver’s license
- Fourth offense – Php 30,000 plus recommendation to Land Transportation Office for revocation of driver’s license
MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes reminded motorists that the agency is serious in its campaign of keeping the EDSA Bus Lane free of unauthorized vehicles. Artes warned motorists that violators who try to run off apprehension will automatically be slapped with a penalty for the third offense, which is a Php 20,000 fine plus one-year suspension of driver’s license.
Artes said that the MMDA would take note of the vehicle’s plate number and report it to the LTO. As such, the necessary penalty will still be imposed even though the motorist has avoided apprehension.
“For violators who run away from traffic enforcers to avoid apprehension, if you think that you were able to get away with it, your plate numbers will be recorded and reported to the LTO. You will automatically receive a penalty for third offense: P20,000 plus a one-year suspension of your driver’s license,” Artes said.
LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II, who was among the individuals who supervised the operation, noted that the agency “shall penalize the escaping violators by placing their vehicles on alarm.”
The MMDA has been reminding motorists that the EDSA Bus Lane is exclusive for passenger buses, ambulances, firetrucks, and marked government vehicles responding to emergencies only.
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