EDSA BUSWAY. Commuters queue up at the EDSA Cubao Station of the EDSA busway in this undated photo. Enforcers of the Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT) on Friday (April 5, 2024) apprehended an official of the Philippine National Police (PNP) as well as other unauthorized vehicles for using the exclusive bus lane. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)
MANILA – Traffic enforcers on Friday issued citation tickets against an unnamed official of the Philippine National Police (PNP), as well as other government officials and ambulance drivers for the improper use of the Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) busway.
During an operation, the Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT) flagged the PNP official onboard a white Toyota SUV with private plate and emergency lights who led a convoy of more than 10 vehicles on the EDSA busway.
The SAICT also apprehended an official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in a vehicle with red plate and ambulances that were not carrying patients or in an emergency.
The SAICT personnel made 16 apprehensions on Friday morning.
Earlier, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) reiterated that the EDSA busway is for the exclusive use of authorized buses with special permits.
The busway may also be used by on-duty ambulances, fire trucks, PNP vehicles, and service vehicles performing their duties for the EDSA busway such as construction, security, janitorial, and maintenance services.
A few top government officials– the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Supreme Court Justice– are also allowed to use the EDSA busway.
To help enforce the policy, the DOTr is seeking higher penalties to deter motorists from using the busway. (PNA)
