LTFRB suspends bus firm operations after fatal accident in Batangas

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is suspending the operations of the entire fleet of the Alps The Bus Inc. as it investigates a deadly accident in Batangas two weeks ago.

In a statement, LTFRB said the suspension covered the company’s 50 buses.

The accident, LTFRB said, happened around 5:30 a.m. on Oct. 14, 2013, when an Alps The Bus unit with plate number TYZ-664, plying the Roxas City to Cubao route, collided with a motorcycle along the Maharlika Highway in the vicinity of San Rafael, Sto Tomas, Batangas.

The motorcycle rider died on the spot and several passengers of the bus were injured.

“As part of the Department of Transportation and Communications’ (DOTC) aim of providing the public with safe transport mode, we will not allow buses with questionable road worthiness to ply our streets, hence we are issuing a suspension order to prevent all buses of Alps The Bus Inc. from operating along our national highways,” LTFRB chair Winston Ginez said.

Under the LTFRB’s regulatory powers, the board ordered the suspension of all units of Alps The Bus Inc. for not more than 30 days, effective upon the surrender of the plates of all the units within five days from the service of the suspension order, the LTFRB said.

The bus operator has been ordered to bring all its 50 buses to the Motor Vehicle Inspection Service for inspection and determination of their road worthiness before they are again allowed to operate.

The drivers of the units would likewise undergo Road Safety Seminar conducted by the board or authorized training centers, LTFRB added.

The Board has scheduled the hearing of the case for November 6, 2013 at 9 a.m.

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