LTFRB probes bus firm over counterflow row

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) yesterday issued a show cause order against a bus firm and its driver, who figured in a traffic row caught on video.

LTFRB member Aileen Lizada said they issued the order against Rainbow Express bus company after one of its buses (TXF-713) was caught on video doing a counterflow along Regalado Avenue in Fairview, Quezon City.

In the order, the LTFRB stated that the driver endangered the lives of pedestrians and motorists and could have damaged private and government properties by taking a counterflow and his allegedly reckless driving.

The incident was recorded on Facebook Live by Kirstoff Guinto at around 2 p.m. on Monday when he refused to give way to the counterflowing bus since he was on the proper lane.

The bus driver, who has yet to be identified, was seen in the video grabbing a steel bar and threatening Guinto. Some bus passengers were also seen making rude gestures at Guinto.

A traffic enforcer of the city government’s department of public order and safety office tried to apprehend the bus driver but the latter continued to curse and tried to escape.

Guinto’s video has been viewed more than 2.6 million times on Facebook.

The LTFRB said Rainbow Express would be made to explain why its certificate of public convenience (CPC) or franchise should not be revoked or suspended during the hearing set on Feb. 15. 

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) officer-in-charge Tim Orbos said he will meet with operators of city buses next week following incidents involving bus drivers apprehended for traffic violations.

“The bus drivers are not used to traffic enforcers who are dedicated to their work. Before, they used to call someone and they’ll be let go. Now, they find that is no longer allowed we apprehend more drivers,” he said.

A check with the MMDA-run website May Huli Ba, shows that the bus has figured in 11 traffic violations, mostly involving loading or unloading passengers in prohibited areas.   – With Robertzon Ramirez