Fewer violators noted on EDSA Busway

The number of motorists violating the unauthorized use of the EDSA Busway has been decreasing in the past few days, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said on Monday, Dec. 4.

Assistant Secretary David Angelo Vargas, assistant general manager for Operations, attributed the decrease to the strict enforcement of the regulation, especially by the agency’s Strike Force, and the stiffer penalties recently approved by the Metro Manila Council.

On Monday, Vargas led the operation from Taft Avenue in Pasay City to Cubao in Quezon City where he personally noticed the decrease in the violators even during the morning rush hours compared to previous days of operations.

“At around 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. last week, we have usually apprehended more or less 60 violators. But today, we have observed that there was a minimal number of unauthorized vehicles entering the exclusive bus lane,” said Vargas.

“Motorists are gradually obeying traffic rules and regulations in Metro Manila, particularly the EDSA busway policy,” he added.

As of 11 a.m., the total number of apprehensions was at 29. Of the figure, 26 were motorcycles while three were cars.

Vargas said the MMDA will further intensify anti-illegal parking operations particularly along Mabuhay Lanes which are alternative routes for those who wanted to avoid EDSA.

He likewise encouraged the public to serve as a citizens watch patrol to report areas where there are a large number of illegally-parked vehicles.

“You can report to us your locations where there are many illegally parked vehicles and we will verify it and coordinate with the local government units before we operate in the area,” Vargas said.

The official also reminded motorists to avoid Christmas rush traffic by doing early Christmas shopping since there is an expected 20 percent increase in vehicular volume during the holiday season