A RESTRUCTURE “strike force” created by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority started job going after violators of the exclusive bus lane policy on Epifanio de los Santos Ave., with more than 40 being arrested yesterday morning alone.
Now named the Special Operations Group, the force, under the direct supervision of MMDA Assistant General Manager for Operations David Angelo Vargas, apprehended 41 violators who were issued citation tickets.
Of the 41, Vargas said 23 were motorcycle riders, 17 were drivers of four-wheeled vehicles, and the driver of a public utility bus.
Vargas noted a decline in the number of violators of the EDSA bus lane policy, crediting this to the information campaign being conducted by the agency and the strict enforcement of the policy, as well as the stiff fines imposed against erring motorists.
During the first week of the implementation of higher fines, agency personnel apprehended 1,262 motorists who violated the policy.
But the agency registered only 345 apprehensions last week.
The Special Operations Group was originally tasked to augment personnel assigned to clear the Mabuhay Lanes and other roadways in the metropolis of illegally parked vehicles.
In announcing its creation early this month, MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes said it will be headed by MMDA General Manager Procopio Lipana and Traffic Discipline Office Director for Enforcement Victor Nunez.
Under the restructured group, Vargas said its focus will be on motorists unauthorized to use the Edsa bus lane.
Under MMDA Regulation 23-002, motorists who violate the Edsa bus lane policy will be meted a P5,000 fine for the first offense; P10,000 for the second offense plus one-month suspension of the driver’s license and undergoing a road safety seminar; while the third offense merits a fine of P20,000 and a one-year suspension of the driver’s license.
Fourth-time offenders will be slapped with a fine of P30,000 fine and the possible revocation of the driver’s license.
