LTFRB suspends firm's 50 buses over Batangas mishap

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has suspended the operation of 50 units of a bus company after one of its buses figured in an accident, killing a motorcycle rider and injuring several others in Batangas province.

LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez said Thursday that he already ordered the suspension of the operation of the 50 buses of Alps The Bus Inc. because of the fatal accident.

"We will not allow buses with questionable road worthiness to ply our streets. Hence we are issuing suspension order to prevent all buses of Alps The Bus Inc. from operating along our national highways," Ginez said in a statement.

Under the LTFRB‘s regulatory powers, the Board ordered the suspension of all units of Alps The Bus Inc. for not more than 30 days effective upon surrender of the plates of all the units within five days from the service of the suspension order.

Alps The Bus Inc. has also been ordered to bring all its 50 buses to the Motor Vehicle Inspection Service for inspection and determination of their road worthiness before they are again allowed to operate.

The drivers of the units will likewise undergo Road Safety Seminar conducted by the Board or authorized training centers.

The Board has set the hearing of the case on November 6 at 9 a.m.

A motorcycle rider died in the accident that happened last October 14 along Maharlika Highway in Barangay San Rafael, Sto. Tomas town. Several other people were hurt in the mishap.

The bus with plate number TYZ 664 was enroute to Cubao when the accident happened.