Bus firm ordered to halt operations after accident leaves 13 people hurt
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Tuesday suspended for 30 days the operations of a bus company after one of its units figured in a three-vehicle road accident on the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) in Valenzuela City.
In a two-page order, LTFRB Chair Teofilo Guadiz III directed the Draven Bus Company owned by Wilson Sy to immediately surrender the “for hire” plates of six buses and subject its drivers to a road safety seminar and compulsory drug test.
Its buses must also pass roadworthiness checks while the company should present proof that insurance benefits have been paid to victims of the road crash.
The LTFRB said that any Draven bus found still operating on the road shall be apprehended and impounded by enforcers from the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, or the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol group.
Driver also penalized
At the same time, the LTO suspended for 90 days the license of the Draven bus driver that figured in the accident.
A show-cause order will also be issued to the driver and registered bus firm owner, LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II said in a separate statement.
The Monumento-bound Draven bus hit a truck and a closed van on NLEx in Valenzuela on Monday night, injuring up to 13 people and causing heavy traffic on the southbound lane of the expressway.
According to the traffic report that was the basis of the LTFRB order, the passenger bus abruptly switched lanes and hit the closed van. Due to the impact, the bus again changed lanes and hit the rear portion of the truck.
Guadiz, in a statement, warned franchise holders who fail to control their drivers that they will be charged administratively, while they may also face suspension orders.
“We are moving now—not after another accident. We’re auditing operators with repeated violations and will revoke franchises if necessary,” he said.
The LTFRB is also deploying more field inspectors and strengthening coordination with enforcement agencies.
“Driving a public vehicle is a responsibility. If you’re reckless, you’re out because it poses danger to people’s lives. Public transport must be safe—that’s nonnegotiable,” Guadiz added.
The LTFRB is urging commuters and motorists to immediately report reckless drivers through official channels by calling its 24/7 hotline at 1342 or by sending a message to the agency’s official Facebook page.
