MMDA buses flagged for using EDSA busway

MANILA, Philippines — Government vehicles have been flagged again for illegally using the EDSA bus lane.

Two buses of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reportedly providing shuttle services to employees passed through the exclusive bus lane in Cubao, Quezon City yesterday morning.

One of the bus drivers showed an erroneous copy of an MMDA memorandum, stating that shuttle buses of the agency are allowed to use the EDSA Carousel.

Acting MMDA Chairman Romando Artes apologized for the confusion, clarifying that the Feb. 20 memorandum had been corrected.

Artes vowed to pay the fines imposed on the MMDA bus drivers.

Aside from the MMDA, an Armed Forces of the Philippines bus and a Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency vehicle were also pulled over along the EDSA bus lane.

Nine government vehicles were accosted from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. yesterday, according to the Department of Transportation.

Seventeen ambulances not carrying patients were also pulled over for using the EDSA busway.

Commuter buses, ambulances, fire trucks, police vehicles as well as the convoys of the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chief Justice are authorized to use the EDSA bus lane.

Violators may face fines of up to P30,000 and their driver’s license could be revoked.