Bus firm loses franchise, fined P1M for operating out-of-line

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has ordered a bus company to pay P1 million in fine and to surrender its license plates after the agency cancelled its franchise for operating out-of-line.

The LTFRB order, signed by Chairman Winston Ginez and board members Ariel Inton and Ronaldo Corpus, was issued on Oct. 19, based on the complaint filed by the GV Florida Transport Inc. against the Everlasting Transport Co., Guardian Angel Bus Line Inc. and Universal Guiding Star Bus Line Inc.

Only Everlasting was penalized as GV Florida did not submit evidence against the two other respondents.

In the complaint, GV Florida said the operation of its Cagayan Valley-Manila route was affected by the out-of-line operations of the respondent-bus companies, especially during holidays and college semestral breaks.

From Balintawak, Quezon City, Everlasting is authorized to convey passengers to Santiago, Isabela; Guardian Angel up to Tuguegarao, Cagayan; and Universal Guiding Star to Santiago, Isabela.

GV Florida presented fare tickets issued by Everlasting from Manila to Cagayan on April 7 and from Sta. Ana, Cagayan, back to Manila on April 9. The tickets also carried a different company name, Heaven Blessed Bus Line Express Inc.

In a joint answer, the respondents said they have not been engaging in illegal activities and they had secured special permits from the LTFRB to operate outside their routes. The LTFRB decision noted that the Lenten Season Special Permit granted them were valid only for March 29 to April 6.

The LTFRB then ordered the cancellation of franchise of Everlasting (Case No. 2009-0831) and directed the bus line to surrender the covered license plates within 15 days.  SFM