MANILA — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Friday grounded the bus unit that figured in an accident in Makati City last Tuesday, which resulted in 19 injuries.
LTFRB has issued a 30-day preventive suspension order to an Isuzu bus (TXD-328) of Joyselle Express Inc., following the multiple vehicle collision that occurred at the southbound lane of EDSA Magallanes on June 19.
Based on the report of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the bus was travelling southbound when it lost its brakes as it was approaching a waiting shed on Magallanes Avenue, causing it to slam on the side of a Valenzuela Transport Service Cooperative bus bound for Alabang and the back of a car. The buses crashed into a concrete wall and destroyed a waiting shed.
The LTFRB has directed the bus operator to have the unit that figured in the mishap undergo a roadworthiness inspection at the Motor Vehicle Inspection Service (MVIS) of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) together with the representatives of the Board.
The bus driver and conductor must also undergo a road safety seminar and mandatory drug testing, among others.
The board also ordered Joyselle Express management to show cause, within 72 hours from receipt of the order, why its Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) should not be revoked or suspended for violation of the terms and conditions of its franchise.
The LTFRB also ordered the bus management representatives to appear before a hearing on the case scheduled on Wednesday, July 4.
“Failure on the part of the respondent-operator and its driver to appear before this Board…shall be considered as waiver on their part to be heard and this case shall be decided on the basis of the records of the Board,” the LTFRB said in its order dated June 21.
The LTO Enforcement Division, MMDA, PNP-Highway Patrol Group and other traffic enforcement agencies are also ordered to apprehend and impound the bus unit if it is found to be operating as public utility vehicle. (Aerol John Pateña/PNA)
