LTFRB recommends closure of Dimple Star Manila terminal

MANILA, Philippines — Transport officials are recommending the closure of the Manila terminal of Dimple Star bus company, whose unit was involved in the fatal bus crash in Occidental Mindoro last Tuesday that killed 19 people and injured several other passengers.

Transportation Undersecretary Tim Orbos said they would again “close down” the bus company’s terminal in Cubao, Quezon City for non-compliance.

The terminal was closed down last year as it failed to comply with the “nose in-nose out” policy of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) but was able to reopen for undisclosed reasons.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Martin Delgra echoed Orbos’ sentiments and said they would recommend to the Quezon City government the closure of the Dimple Star terminal. 

“We should take a look at how terminals are operating. The LTFRB would have a say (on this). It is the local government unit that has primordial authority over terminals, but the LTFRB has the power and authority to impose the regulations for the convenience and safety (of the commuting public),” Delgra said. 

He said they are preparing the communication with the Quezon City government to close down the terminal, which he described as in “pathetic condition.”

He said the terminal was a mere garage with only makeshift bathrooms and ticketing stations. He added these arrangements should not be allowed since they do not pass standards set by the LTFRB to ensure passenger safety and convenience. 

Delgra said they are set to conduct a hearing on the violations of Dimple Star, not only on the recent accident but its other violations or non-compliance with the LTFRB’s memorandum circulars.

A total of 19 people were killed and 21 others injured after the Dimple Star bus fell into a ravine when it supposedly lost its brakes while traversing a downhill road in Barangay Batong Buhay in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro on Tuesday night. 

The following day, the LTFRB issued a 30-day preventive suspension order grounding 10 units of Dimple Star plying the route from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro to Manila.

Malacañang vowed to ensure that there would be a thorough probe on the accident.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque urged the LTFRB to conduct what is necessary to determine the cause of the accident and the liability of the bus firm.

Malacañang expressed sympathies to the victims of the accident as well as their families. Roque assured the victims’ families that the government would do its part to give them justice.

Roque also appealed to all operators and drivers of provincial buses to ensure the safety of their vehicles as many people will troop to the provinces for the Holy Week.

Police said the Dimple Star bus that figured in the accident was dilapidated.

According to Chief Inspector Jeny Magan, officer-in-charge of the Sablayan police, the body of the bus was so corroded that even a junkshop would not accept the bus as scrap.

Magan cited the initial findings of the chief mechanic of the Sablayan municipal government indicating the bus was no longer safe for long trips.

Magan said they turned over the findings to the regional police Highway Patrol Group for further investigation.   –  Emmanuel Tupas, Christina Mendez, Ed Amoroso