Ceres bus line wants suspension done after Christmas; driver charged

Due to the peak season for road travel, an appeal was made to postpone the 30-day suspension of 10 Ceres buses till after Christmas.

Removing the fleet would result in a shortage of public transport vehicles at a time when commuters will be traveling to their hometowns in Cebu for the holidays, said Vicente Dejoras Jr., head of operations of the Cebu South Bus Terminal.

“We were able to talk with representatives from Ceres and they want to ask a little favor to move the suspension.I just hope they (LTFRB) will consider our request,” he told reporters yesterday.

“I am in favor of that because passengers want to go home to the province,” he said.

It’s up to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to decide after it suspended the bus operations of Vallacar Transit following Monday’s fatal accident in Badian town where one bus crashed, killing two passengers and wounding over 30 passengers.

Charges of reckless driving and driving under the influence of liquor were filed yesterday against the driver, Erwin Gerson, whose wife and 5-year-daughter were killed in the mishap.

A formal request has yet to be filed. Dejoras said he will arrange a meeting with LTFRB-7 officials headed by Regional Director Ahmed Cuizon today.

“Maybe they can implement the suspension after Christmas. Anyway, it’s the time for forgiving,” Dejoras said.

The suspended buses are plying the Cebu City – Guihulngan Negros Oriental route.

Gerson’s driver’s license was suspended for 90 days with the possibility of revocation if proven that he was drunk at the wheel.

Insp. Henry Orbiso, chief of Badian Police Station, said none of the victims showed interest in filing a complaint against Gerson and no one gave a testimony that the couple were quarreling inside the bus. He said Gerson may post bail and fine for the cases.

Medical and funeral expenses of the victims are being paid by the company. The charge of driving under the influence of liquor was filed at the Regional Trial Court while the reckless driving case was filed in Badian.