MMDA outlines 5 VIPs that can use bus lane, others will be apprehended
By now, you may have already heard about the recent EDSA bus lane incident that resulted in the preventive suspension of NTFSOU commander, Edison “Bong” Nebrija. Based on reports, a VIP convoy used the bus lane and the drivers allegedly claimed that Sen. Bong Revilla was onboard. This was later denied by the senator.
Besides this incident, the bus lane has been notoriously used by other marked government vehicles and their contractors, other politicians and VIPs. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has outlined who’s allowed and who’s not allowed to use the bus lane.
In a recent briefing, MMDA Acting Chairman, Atty. Don Artes, said that only 5 VIPs are allowed to use the bus lane. The strict enforcement will begin on Monday, November 20, 2023.
According to Artes, only the President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker and the Chief Justice (and their convoys) are allowed to use the EDSA bus lane. Emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire trucks; police and military vehicles on official functions are also allowed to use the EDSA bus lane.
Artes added that this is in accordance with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) order and other VIPs or politicians, government-marked vehicles and their contractors that are not included on the above list will be ticketed for bus lane violation.
Under the new MMDA Regulation No. 23-002, approved by the Metro Manila Council (MMC), the increased fines for the violation of the exclusive city Bus Lane/EDSA Carousel Lane regulation for both public and private vehicles are:
First Offense – PHP 5,000
Second Offense – PHP 10,000 plus 1 month suspension of driver’s license, and required to undergo a road safety seminar
Third Offense – PHP 20,000 plus 1 year suspension of driver’s license
Fourth Offense – PHP 30,000 plus recommendation to Land Transportation Office for revocation of driver’s license
Keyword: MMDA: only the President, 4 other VIPs can use bus lane