The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), under the guidance of DOTr Secretary Giovanni “Banoy” Z. Lopez, has temporarily suspended the operation of 24 units of a bus company following a road crash in Baguio City that left its employee dead and six passengers injured, on June 16.
LTFRB Chairman Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II said the suspension is for 30 days while the investigation is ongoing to determine if there were lapses committed under the rules and regulations of the issued Certificate of Public Convenience.
“We commit to an impartial and no-nonsense investigation not only because it is our mandate but because it is the life and limb of commuters that are stake when it comes to public transportation,” said Chairman Vigor.
The passenger bus involved a unit owned by the North Genesis Bus Line, Inc. in the road crash that happened on Tuesday, June 16 on Kilometer 6, Marcos Highway in Baguio City.
The bus conductor died after he was trapped inside the bus and based on the report, the bus was heading to Baguio City when it hit a truck that was parked alongside the road early morning on Tuesday.
At least six other people were injured and were taken to the hospital.
In the show cause order issued to the bus company, it mandated the drug testing of all bus drivers and road worthiness inspection of the 24 suspended bus units.
It also asked the bus company to explain in notarized writing why it should nor be sanctioned for hiring a reckless driver.
Chairman Vigor said all the license plates of the suspended units were asked to be surrendered to ensure compliance of the suspension order.
But he stressed the need to expedite the payment of insurance to the family of the deceased victim and all those who were injured.
He tasked the regional LTFRB officials to regularly monitor compliance of insurance payment.
Chairman Vigor then advised PUV operators and drivers to do their share in road safety, saying the trust and confidence given by their passengers should be paid back by safe travel.
