P7M in fines collected from EDSA busway violators in January

The government was able to collect P7 million in fines in January of this year from motorists who were caught illegally passing inside the EDSA busway.

In Joseph Morong’s exclusive report in 24 Oras, several motorists were apprehended on Monday despite repeated warnings from authorities.

Among them was a motorcycle rider who tried to evade the traffic enforcers. But aside from using the busway, he was also called out for wearing an Air Force uniform which he said he borrowed from a friend.

The said violator was also flagged for failing to present his driver’s license and the lack of registration of his motorcycle.

“Nagmamadali lang po ako, sir [...] Kaya nag-half day lang po ako,” claimed the rider who said he was in a rush to visit his wife in a hospital in Bulacan.

(I was in a hurry…That’s why I only spent half-day at work.)

The man was fined a total of  P15,000 for various violations and his motorcycle was impounded.

Authorities also apprehended a police officer and an employee of the Land Transportation Office.

Two ambulances were also flagged, but one of them was able to present a trip ticket.

“Pwede, sir, basta may sakay na pasyente. Katunayan lang po na may dala siyang pasahero tsaka saan po siya kinuha…May oras din po ‘yun at date,” said SN1 Marvin Guisando.

(They can use the busway as long as they have a patient with them and it’s indicated where they came from, the time, and the date.)

Data from the Department of Transportation-Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (DOTr-SAICT) showed that 518 vehicles were fined and penalized for using the EDSA Busway in 2024, which resulted in collection of P189 million in fines.

Aside from the convoys of the President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker, and Chief Justice, also exempted from using the busway are on-duty ambulances, fire trucks, and police vehicles.

Those who are caught illegally traveling via the busway are penalized with confiscation of their driver’s licenses and fined with P5,000 for the 1st violation.

But the DOTr-SAICT warned that those who are not taking the fine seriously, violators could be demerited in their licenses with five points being lost per violation. A driver’s license could only be demerited by up to 40 points.

“‘Pag naubos mo na ‘yun, mare-revoke po ang ating license and magkakaroon po tayo, uulit po ulit tayo ng proseso, magiging student, non-pro and then professional,” said Jennifer Salen of DOTr-SAICT.

(Once you lose all your points, your license will be revoked and you have to start all over the process again - you will start again as a student, then non-professional, and then professional.) —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News