QC shuts down Dimple Star bus main terminal in Santolan

The wreckage of the Dimple Star bus, which figured in a road tragedy leaving 19 people dead and 20 others wounded in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro last Tuesday, March 20, 2018. President Duterte visited the accident site on March 23, 2018. (PALACE PHOTO / Robinson Niñal Jr.)

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista personally went to the main terminal of Dimple Star bus in Santolan on Monday to close it down after one of the company’s buses figured in an accident recently in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro that left 19 people killed, and 20 others injured.

READ: 19 dead, 21 hurt in Occidental Mindoro bus crash

“Safety ng mga mananakay ang pinaka importante,” Bautista said. “Mas mahalaga ang buhay para sa atin kesa naman bumyahe sila ng (hindi ligtas).”

According to Bautista, all Dimple Star bus terminals and garage within the city has been ordered closed.

“As far as Quezon City is concerned ‘yung kanilang terminal, ‘yung kanilang garahe, sa loob ng Quezon City, basta Dimple Star sila ay sarado sila,” Bautista pointed out.

According to the local government, among the violations of Dimple Star bus was its failure to provide convenience to its passengers.

“Syempre convenience ng mananakay yung dapat mong tingnan. Kahit tingnan mo ‘yung ibang malalaking bus companies dito, may CR (comfort room) sila, mayroon silang mga maliit na cafeteria o canteen, mayroon silang mga upuan para makapaghintay sila,” Bautista said.

“Eh ito, wala tayong makita na functional na.. may mga upuan, pero may matino ba silang canteen? Meron ba silang matinong CR dito para sa mga mananakay nila? I don’t think so. Talagang isa sa mga violations ng Dimple Star,” he added.

Apart from the closure order served at the main terminal of Dimple Star bus in Santolan, the local government also closed down its ticketing office located at the Araneta Center Bus Terminal.

However, a ticketing officer of Dimple Star bus identified only as Ana clarified they were only open to refund the tickets of their passengers.

“We are only open for ticket refunding. No more transactions na po kami ngayon,” she said.

Bautista then appealed to passengers planning to travel during the Holy Week to choose bus companies that they fully trust.

“Sa mga mananakay natin, kung gusto niyo sigurado, doon tayo sa alam nating hindi niya isasang-alang-alang ‘yung buhay natin at hindi niya rin isasang-alang alang yung pangalan ng kumpanya niya,” Bautista said.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) suspended the entire fleet of the Dimple Star bus two days after the accident.

President Rodrigo Duterte also ordered the cancelation of the franchise of the Dimple Star bus on Friday.

READ: Duterte orders Dimple Star bus franchise canceled

/kga