LTFRB suspends units of 3 bus firms over fatal mishaps

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on Thursday ordered the suspension of the operations of three bus firms' units which figured in separate fatal accidents recently.

The Board issued the two separate 30-day preventive suspension orders against Jam Liner bus company and Del Monte Motor Works Inc. ( DLTB), and Rural Transit of Mindanao Inc.

Under the orders, 10 units of Jam Liner, a bus of DLTB would be grounded, while 15 buses of Rural Transit would halt operations. 

A Jam Liner bus and DLTB unit were involved in an accident last May 4 along Southern Tagalog Arterial Road , Brgy. Poblacion, Malvar, Batangas, which resulted in the death of a passenger and injuries to 46 others.

Meanwhile, a Rural Transit bus figured in a road mishap in Zamboanga del Sur last April 27 along the national highway of Purok 1, Brgy. Anonang, Aurora, killing six persons and injuring 16 others.

The Board will be sending a team to confiscate the for-hire plates of the grounded buses on May 12.

Under the suspension orders, the three bus firms are also required to bring the grounded units for motor vehicle inspection  of the Land Transportaton Office within 30 days.

The bus companies are also given 72 hours to submit a show cause why their Certificate of Public Convenience should not be suspended , cancelled or revoked.

Representatives of the bus firms are also ordered to appear before the hearing of their cases on May 21 at the LTFRB main office in Quezon City.