It seems that violating the dedicated EDSA Bus Carousel lane has become popular and fashionable.
Thanks to the high-profile violators’ list topped by former Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson of Ilocos Sur: a driver of a relative or someone apparently close to Senator Chiz Escudero, who was flagged down for such offense and for sporting a protocol plate No. 7 (exclusively issued for senators) but left an expired and later kin of a police general and more.
The list keeps growing– regardless of the stiff fines and leaving a bad record at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) but the media mileage and ego-boosting experience from such an illegal act– seems to be the come-on for such violators.
A big drawback to the policy of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to the EDSA Bus lane is its happy receipt (and defending such a morally-wrong move) from Singson of P300,000 worth of cash, which Singson claimed is not a bribe but a donation.
He was even honored at the flag raising ceremony of MMDA.
So who says violating the EDSA bus carousel lane isn’t fun and fashionable for those needing attention and publicity. Mga kulang sa pansin. This only indicates that the violators do not care about fines and being accosted because they get a free ride on media mileage.
On April 22, the Manila Standard reported more motorists using the busway. The obvious reason is to evade the monstrous traffic jams, a result of unregulated growth of the number of cars on the roads– owing to the dismal public transport system especially in the National Capital Region. Again, a result of the neglect of public transport by the government.
Despite stiffer penalties and a series of public reminders, authorities continue to apprehend motorists passing through the exclusive busway along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), the Standard said.
Here is the full report:
“A motorcycle ride-hailing service rider is facing heavier punishment after trying to escape and nearly colliding with MMDA traffic enforcers, who apprehended him for illegally using the lane dedicated to public utility buses.
Reports showed that members of the MMDA Special Operations Group – Strike Force flagged down the rider with a passenger at EDSA-Cubao around 8:30 a.m. The rider pulled over his motorcycle, nearly colliding with three traffic enforcers who tried to stop him.
Earlier, the Philippine Basketball Association ordered a one-day suspension against Meralco Bolts player Raymond Almazan for allegedly trying to bribe a traffic enforcer for using the EDSA Bus lane.
Operatives of the Department of Transportation – Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT) also apprehended a black Sports Utility Vehicle with a protocol plate “7” assigned to senators for using the exclusive lane in the area of Mandaluyong City.
However, the SUV sped away after the driver handed over a license to the SAICT officer who apprehended the vehicle.
The driver was discovered to be a driver of the family of Senator Francis Escudero, who offered an apology for the incident.
Aside from politicians and celebrities, police and military officials were found not on legitimate operations, and some ‘VIPs” not authorized to use the bus lane were also apprehended recently by both MMDA and SAICT traffic enforcers.
The vehicles authorized to use the EDSA Busway are passenger buses, ambulances, fire trucks, Philippine National Police vehicles, and busway project service vehicles (construction, security, janitorial, and maintenance services).
The EDSA Busway can also be used by the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Supreme Court Chief Justice to assist in the performance of their duties.
Violators are fined P5,000 for first offense; P10,000 plus one month-suspension of driver’s license for second offense plus a road safety seminar; P20,000 for third and one-year suspension of driver’s license and P30,000 for fourth offense plus recommendation to LTO for revocation of driver’s license.
The government initiated the EDSA Bus Lane program for the commuting public to experience a more accessible, convenient, and faster mass transport system.
The MMDA stated that designating the innermost lane of EDSA exclusively for buses will help decongest traffic, thus reducing travel time to and from north-to-south entry points of the 28.3 km highway.”
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #EDSA #LTO #SAICT