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The Department of Transportation (DOTr) considers the EDSA Busway one of the country’s most efficient public transportation systems, serving around 177,000 commuters daily.
Also known as the EDSA Carousel, the busway operates 24/7, with several bus stops along its route through Caloocan City, Quezon City, Mandaluyong City, Makati City, Pasay City, and Parañaque City.
In 2023, then-DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista sent a letter to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes clarifying who is allowed to use the exclusive bus lane.
Bautista’s letter outlined the following vehicles as authorized to use the EDSA Busway:
Buses authorized by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to operate on the EDSA Busway
On-duty ambulances
Fire trucks
Philippine National Police vehicles
Service vehicles performing duties for the EDSA Busway Project, such as construction, security, janitorial, and maintenance services
Vehicles of the country’s top officials, namely:
- President of the Philippines
- Vice President of the Philippines
- Senate President
- Speaker of the House of Representatives
- Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
However, since its implementation, vehicles linked to personalities not included on the list have been caught using the EDSA Busway.
For instance, a vehicle belonging to then-Senator Bong Revilla was caught using the EDSA Busway. The incident preceded Bautista’s 2023 clarification on who may use the exclusive lane.
A vehicle belonging to former senator and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao was also caught using the bus lane in 2025.
Most recently, a vehicle assigned to MMDA General Manager Nicolas Torre III was caught using the EDSA Busway. Land Transportation Office chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao said Torre admitted he was inside the vehicle at the time but had a driver operating it.
Torre paid a P14,000 fine.
Other vehicles have likewise been caught using the exclusive bus lane, regardless of the status of their owners or occupants.
Motorists who illegally use the EDSA Busway face a P5,000 fine for a first offense.
A second offense carries a P10,000 fine, a one-month suspension of the driver’s license, and mandatory participation in a road safety seminar.
For a third offense, motorists face a P20,000 fine and a one-year suspension of their driver’s license.
A fourth offense carries a P30,000 fine, with the MMDA recommending that the Land Transportation Office (LTO) revoke the motorist’s license. — VBL, GMA News
