Maserati, LGU vehicle held for using EDSA busway

MANILA, Philippines — Drivers of a luxury car and a rescue vehicle of a local government unit were the latest to be apprehended for entering the exclusive EDSA Bus Carousel lane.

Authorities from the Department of Transportation’s Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (DOTr-SAICT), in a statement, flagged down a black Maserati sedan that entered the exclusive EDSA Bus Carousel lane near the Ortigas Flyover northbound during the morning rush hour last Feb. 21.

Aside from the illegal use of the exclusive busway, enforcers also held the driver of the luxury car for the absence of a front license plate, which is mandated by law. The driver was not identified by authorities.

During the same operation, SAICT enforcers also stopped a rescue vehicle from an unidentified local government unit, which sported pink and green paint on its body.

The driver of the multicab did not show an official receipt or certificate of registration.

“The EDSA busway is reserved for authorized public utility buses to ensure efficient mass transit. Unauthorized entry disrupts the system and endangers commuters,” SAICT spokesman Jonathan Gesmundo said.

Only city buses, emergency vehicles like ambulances and fire trucks, and convoys of the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker and Chief Justice are authorized to use the busway.

Other motorists caught entering it will pay fines ranging from P5,000 to P30,000, and may lose their driver’s license.