146 motorists caught using EDSA busway

MANILA, Philippines — Traffic enforcers caught 146 motorists passing through the EDSA Carousel exclusive for buses yesterday, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reported.

The MMDA’s Task Force Special Operations set out to apprehend private vehicles using the busway after receiving complaints, TFSO team leader Vic Rodriguez told The STAR.

The EDSA Carousel is reserved for city buses and emergency vehicles such as ambulances and firetrucks.

Most of those caught breaching the busway were motorcycle riders, Rodriguez said.

He added that the number of violators has dropped following the MMDA’s announcement of stiffer fines for violators starting on Nov. 13.

For the first offense, motorists will be fined P5,000. For the second offense, violators will be fined P10,000 and their driver’s license suspended for a month.

On third offense, violators will be fined P20,000 and their driver’s license suspended for a year.

Violators will have to pay P30,000 and their driver’s license might be revoked on fourth offense.