Bontoc bus crash may have been caused by loose brakes—LTFRB chair
MANILA, Philippines – The bus that fell off a ravine in Bontoc, Mountain Province and killed 14 passengers may have had loose brakes, according to the preliminary investigation of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
In a phone interview with INQUIRER.net Saturday, LTFRB chair Winston Ginez quoted the conductor as saying the bus had loose brakes.
The conductor was reported to have jumped out of the bus before it lost its brakes and fell off a 100-meter ravine early Friday morning.
“According to our preliminary investigation, the bus lost control due to loose brakes,” Ginez said in Filipino.
The LTFRB has ordered a preventive suspension for 30 days on the 228 buses of G.V. Florida Transport after it was found out that the ill-fated bus was issued with a license plate that belonged to another bus to make it appear it could be used as a hired vehicle.
Article continues after this advertisementThe board also found out that the bus was authorized under the name of Norberto Cue, who had not filed an approval for the sale and transfer to Florida Transport.
Article continues after this advertisementThis means that the Florida Transport was not authorized to operate the bus, LTFRB said.
Among those killed were comedian Arvin “Tado” Jimenez, musician David Sicam, visual artist Gerard Baja, and 11 others. Meanwhile, 32 were injured including the driver and the conductor.
The crash came more than a month after a Don Mariano Transit bus fell off the Skyway near Bicutan crashed onto a van below. The accident killed 19, including the bus driver.
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