30-day suspension issued vs bus firm in UP prof’s death
MANILA, Philippines—The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has suspended the company that owns the first bus that allegedly hit the taxi carrying veteran journalist and UP professor Lourdes “Chit” Estella-Simbulan’s, contributing to the crash that led to her death on May 13.
The LTFRB also wants to investigate why the bus, owned by NS Transport Services Inc., was operating under the brand Nova Auto Transport Inc., indicating a possible illegal transfer of ownership of a public utility vehicle.
In an order signed on Friday, the LTFRB issued a 30-day preventive suspension against NS Transport, which has 10 buses operating in Metro Manila. All 10 buses were covered by the suspension order.
The regulator said it would “inspect and determine the road worthiness of all authorized bus units of NS Transport … bringing (the buses) to the Motor Vehicle Inspection Service together with an authorized representative of the board.”
All of NS Transport bus drivers would also be asked to undergo drug tests and road safety seminars, the LTFRB said.
LTFRB board member Manuel Iway said the order was issued following a report by the Quezon City crime lab which showed that the NS Transport bus may have hit Simbulan’s taxi first.
The initial collision caused the taxi to veer to the right, into the path of a bus operated by Universal Guiding Star Bus Company. The police findings were also corroborated by witness testimony from several people who were nearby when the accident took place.
Iway said the investigation showed that the NS Transport bus “immediately fled the scene” after hitting the taxi.
The fatal collision led to a recent crackdown by authorities on violators of road rules on Commonwealth Avenue, dubbed a “killer highway,” where the accident took place.
Iway said the LTFRB has also issued a “show-cause” order, asking NS Transport to explain why one of its buses—the one involved in the accident—was operating under a different name.
