DOTr stops 3 ambulances without patients on Edsa bus lane

Officers from the Special Action Intelligence Committee for Transportation (DOTr-SAICT) intercept ambulances using the Edsa bus lane to cut across heavy traffic despite not carrying any patients. (Photo from DOTr-SAICT)

 MANILA, Philippines — Three ambulances were stopped by the Department of Transportation – Special Action Intelligence Committee for Transportation (DOTr – SAICT) on Monday for entering the Edsa bus lane but not responding to an emergency.

The report noted that initially, the ambulances were traveling outside the Edsa busway but then activated their blinkers, despite not carrying any patients, in an attempt to maneuver through heavy traffic.

“They were immediately apprehended and reported to the SAICT and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) operatives, who later issued tickets to them simultaneously at the Ortigas Station of the Edsa busway,” DOTr-SAICT noted.

Previously, the committee clarified that only buses operating on the EDSA busway route, PNP vehicles, and marked emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire trucks are permitted to utilize the busway.

However, marked vehicles that are not responding to an emergency but misuse their sirens and blinkers to evade traffic will be apprehended.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is intensifying its crackdown on colorum or unregistered ambulances and emergency vehicles using utilize blinkers / sirens to evade traffic congestion.

 “This not only harms and endangers the public but also undermines the true purpose of ambulances,” DOTr previously said.

Also permitted to use the Edsa bus lane according to the DOTr are the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Supreme Court Chief Justice.