LTFRB suspends 9 Starlight buses over Zamboanga accident

MANILA, Philippines – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) suspended nine units of Starlight bus after one of its buses figured in an accident in Zamboanga del Sur that left five persons dead and 53 others wounded.

LTFRB board member Ariel Inton said the buses were suspended for 30 days pending the result of the investigation into the accident.

A Starlight bus plying the Pagadian-Midsalip and Molave route reportedly encountered mechanical problem and hit a light cargo truck and a sport utility vehicle in Sitio Alang-alang in Barangay Poblacion in Ramon Magsaysay town on March 12.  The fatalities were in the cargo truck, locally known as bongo, while the injured were bus passengers.

Inton said bus operator Alan Albor was asked to surrender the plates of the suspended buses to the LTFRB office in Zamboanga City.

The bus company was also directed to bring the buses to the Land Transportation Office for inspection and determination of roadworthiness. The drivers and conductors were asked to undergo a road safety seminar and drug test.

A hearing at the LTFRB office was set on March 30.