LTFRB grounds bus firm's entire fleet over road mishap

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday grounded the entire fleet of a bus company after one of its units figured in an accident in the boundary of Quezon City and Caloocan City, killing at least four and injuring 14 others.

 

The board issued a 30-day suspension order against 62 units of the Valisno Express Bus, ordering the yellow plates of the buses confiscated.

 

Aside from the suspension, the Board also requires all of the Valisno buses to undergo a road worthiness inspection by the Land Transportation Office.

 

All drivers of Valisno will also undergo a road safety seminar, drug test and will be required to secure a police and NBI clearance, the board said. 

 

The fatal road mishap happened at the boundary of Quezon City and Caloocan City after a speeding Valisno bus bound for Bulacan lost control and smashed into a steel post around 7:15 a.m. 

 

Authorities said two of the victims instantly died from the impact. Two others were rushed to the Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in Tala, Caloocan but attending physicians could no longer revive them.

 

Around 14 other victims, including the bus conductor, were also rushed to the hospital for medical treatment, police said. 

 

The driver of the bus fled the scene after the accident.