'Up to P30,000': MMDA to increase fines for EDSA bus lane violators

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is set to raise fines for individuals found in violation of the exclusive bus carousel lane regulations on EDSA, imposing significant penalties on repeat offenders.

According to MMDA acting chairperson Don Artis on Wednesday, many errant drivers of private vehicles, motorcycles and other motor vehicles continually use lanes meant exclusively for public buses and 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," said Artes.

"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."

According to MMDA Regulation No. 23-002, the increased fines will apply to both public and private vehicles:

• 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 official however emphasized that the increase is not anti-poor, nor a money-making scheme since many of those who violate allegedly do so since they could afford the P1,000 fine per offense.

The MMDA official emphasized that the increase is neither anti-poor nor a money-making scheme as many violators seem able to easily afford the existing P1,000 fine for each offense.

Artes clarified that they will initiate information campaigns to raise awareness about the increased fines before rolling out the full implementation. The specific date for this implementation remains uncertain.

The announcement comes after the MMDA's controversial proposal to double the penalties for jaywalking along EDSA and C5 to P1,000, an announcement met with criticism by various transportation advocates.