MMDA sets higher fines vs EDSA bus lane violators starting Nov. 13

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 6) – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Monday said it will enforce higher fines on unauthorized vehicles passing through the EDSA bus carousel lane starting Nov. 13.

Approved by the Metro Manila Council, the MMDA Regulation No. 23-002 states that the penalty will be effective on owners of private and public vehicles.

«These EDSA bus lane violators will be reported to the Land Transportation Office and penalties will be attached to the vehicle owners,» MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes said in a statement.

From ₱1,000 fine for each offense, the increased penalties will be as follows:

1st offense: ₱5,000

2nd offense: ₱10,000, seminar, and one month suspension of driver's license.

3rd offense: ₱20,000, one year suspension of driver's license.

4th offense: ₱30,000, revocation of driver's license.

Artes earlier said penalty increases are 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 (generally, cars of the rich),” he said.