LTFRB revokes Dimple Star bus franchise

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has canceled the entire franchise of Dimple Star bus due to previous accidents involving its units that led to the deaths of commuters.

LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III said the order covers 11 franchises of the bus company.

Delgra said Dimple Star bus had been involved in accidents, including one of its units, which fell off a cliff in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro that killed 19 persons and injured 21 others on March 20.

“We canceled the franchise of the entire fleet of Dimple Star because of repetitive recklessness in their transport service. One death is already one too many,” he said.

The regulatory body issued the order on Tuesday following deliberations on the crash in Occidental Mindoro and other road mishaps involving Dimple Star buses.

In a 29-page decision, the LTFRB said the management of the bus firm has repeatedly failed to comply with the terms and conditions of its certificate of public convenience.

“The latest grossly irresponsible act of the respondents resulted in the deaths of 19 passengers and injuries to 21 others,” the decision read.

The LTFRB said officials of Dimple Star failed to provide or maintain a safe transport service, which is “tantamount to the willful refusal to comply with the regulations of the Public Service Law.”

The decision was  signed by Delgra, board member Ronaldo Corpus and LTFRB executive director Samuel Hardin.

Records show that Dimple Star buses have been involved in eight road crashes since 2011 when a total of 25 persons were killed and 134 others injured.

President Duterte has ordered the LTFRB to impose stiffer sanctions on the bus firm and conduct an investigation on the roadworthiness of its buses.

The LTFRB slapped a 30-day preventive suspension order on a Dimple Star bus plying the route from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro to Manila.

After a review, the board decided to suspend the entire fleet of Dimple Star covering 118 buses.

Delgra said the order should serve as a warning to other bus operators and drivers to take precautions to ensure the safety of the riding public.