THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that it will soon increase the fines against private vehicles that will pass through exclusive city bus lane/bus carousel lane.
It noted that many violations have occurred involving private vehicles that have repeatedly disregarded the rules.
MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes said that despite constant warnings and reminders, many errant drivers of private vehicles, motorcycle riders, and other motor vehicles continue to enter the exclusive bus lane, which is for the exclusive use of Public Utility Buses, ambulances, and marked government vehicles responding to emergencies.
“To serve as a deterrent, the MMDA, through the Metro Manila Council, decided to increase the prescribed fines and impose corresponding suspension of driver’s license depending on the frequency of offense,” he said. Currently, the prescribed fine for the violation of the exclusive bus lane regulation is at P1,000 for each offense.
Under MMDA Regulation No. 23-002, the increased fines for the violation of exclusive city bus lane/EDSA carousel lane regulation for 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
The MMDA acting chief, however, emphasized that the hike in fines is not anti-poor nor a money-making scheme.
“Based on our data and observation, there are those who are willing to pay the P1,000 fines and violated the exclusivity of the bus lane because they can afford it… kalimitan kotse ng mayayaman,” he said.
However, the official is quick to clarify that the MMDA will first conduct information campaigns so that the public will be made aware of the increased fines first before it is fully implemented.
Meanwhile, regarding the “no window hour coding scheme,” Artes clarified that although approved by the Metro Manila Council (MMC), the date of implementation is still yet to be determined.
“We will assess first the situation of Metro Manila roads from November 6 to 12, after the return of vacationers from the provinces for the Undas break. We expect 15 to 20 percent additional vehicle volume as the holiday nears, that’s the time we will decide whether or not to implement the 7am to 7pm number coding scheme in Metro Manila.”
He stressed that the current number coding hours, which is 7am to 10am and 5pm to 8pm will still be observed.