A vehicle allegedly registered to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) was apprehended after using the EDSA busway in Quezon City on Thursday evening.
The Department of Transportation — Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (DOTr — SAICT) shared the video showing several enforcers trying to block the said vehicle.
The AUV, however, continued to move forward but was later pulled over to the side of the road by the enforcers.
“Nakarehistro ang sasakyan sa DILG at nagpakilala nga, ayon doon sa mga enforcer, nagpakilalang pulis daw siya from DILG,” said DOTr — SAICT spokesman Jonathan Gesmundo.
(The car is registered under DILG and, according to the enforcers, he introduced himself as a police officer from the DILG.)
The DOTr — SAICT spokesman said the 35-year-old driver was issued a ticket. His license was also confiscated, pending his payment of the P5,000 fine as a first-time violator.
“‘Yung driver, ang registered na residence niya is Nueva Ecija. So apparently, parang hindi siya aware doon sa restricted use of the busway,” Gesmundo said.
(The registered residence of the driver is in Nueva Ecija. Apparently he didn’t seem to be aware of the restricted use of the busway.)
GMA Integrated News has sought a statement from the DILG regarding the issue, but it has yet to reply as of posting time.
Based on the records of the DOTr — SAICT, 40 motorists with vehicles that illegally used the EDSA busway in the Main Avenue station were apprehended Thursday night.
The vehicles involved were one taxi cab, three government vehicles, four private vehicles and 32 motorcycles.
Gesmundo, meanwhile, said they are expecting an increase in the number of violators in the EDSA busway amid the holiday rush.
“Nag-uumpisa na ang holiday rush hour at maraming pinipilit gumamit ng busway kahit hindi sila authorized,” Gesmundo added.
(The holiday rush hour has started and many motorists are trying to forcibly use the busway despite being unauthorized.)
He also noted that the DOTr — SAICT is still reviewing proposals seeking to increase fines for EDSA busway violators.
“The other side is, we have to look at kung magiging effective ba ‘yun as deterrent (whether this will be an effective deterrent),” said Gesmundo.
Traffic, rush hour
Enforcers of the DOTr — SAICT also apprehended over 25 motorists who passed through the EDSA busway in the Santolan station early Friday morning.
Heavy traffic and rush hour woes were among the top reasons cited by the violators.
A barangay ambulance carrying a patient was among those apprehended by authorities.
DOTr — SAICT enforcers explained that the ambulance used the bus lane for patient transport, and not for emergency purposes, with incomplete documents.
Only select vehicles, such as on-duty ambulances, fire trucks, and Philippine National Police vehicles, among others, may use the EDSA busway.
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 unauthorized may be fined up to P30,000, or even have their driver’s license revoked.
Under MMDA Regulation No. 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
–VAL, GMA Integrated News
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