3 bus firms suspended

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has issued preventive suspension orders against the continued operation of buses belonging to three bus companies, including DLTB and JAM Liner, that were involved in recent fatal road accidents. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines—The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued preventive suspension orders against the continued operation of three bus companies that were involved in recent fatal road accidents.

The orders covered JAM Liner Inc.’s 10 units, one bus of Del Monte Motor Works (DLTB) and 15 buses of Rural Transit Mindanao Inc. (RTM), the LTFRB said in a statement Thursday.

The collision of a JAM Liner bus and a DLTB unit last May 4 on the STAR tollway in Malvar town, Batangas province, resulted in the death of one passenger and injuries to 46 others.

In Zamboanga del Sur province, an RTM bus figured in a road incident last April 27 along the national highway in Barangay (village) Anonang, Aurora town, which resulted in the deaths of six passengers and multiple injuries to 16 others.

“We have been reminding bus operators and their drivers to refrain from driving recklessly to prevent fatal road accidents. The board will never tolerate reckless driving behavior,” LTFRB chair Winston Ginez said in the statement.

JAM Liner’s 10 units plying the San Juan, Batangas–Lawton, Manila via Lipa City route have also been ordered grounded in their terminal in Sta. Rosa town, Laguna province. The DLTB unit involved in the accident will also be grounded in its terminal in Cubao, Quezon City.

The board said it would be sending a team to confiscate the for-hire plates of the 10 buses of JAM Liner and the DLTB bus.

Fifteen units of RTM plying the Cagayan de Oro–Zamboanga via Pagadian City route have also been ordered grounded and their for-hire plates will also be confiscated.

Within 30 days, the three bus companies must bring all their units to the Motor Vehicle Inspection Service of the Land Transportation Office for the inspection and determination of their road worthiness before they are again allowed to operate.

The drivers of the units will also be made to undergo a road safety seminar conducted by the board or at authorized training centers.