Bus firm in traffic enforcer’s fatal accident suspended

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) suspended yesterday the operations of a bus company for 30 days after one of its drivers figured in an accident that killed a traffic enforcer in Quezon City.

The LTFRB issued a preventive suspension on Joanna Jesh bus firm.

A show cause order was also issued against bus driver Nolan de Villa and the company’s operator.

De Villa was suspended from driving for 90 days.

He was ordered to appear at the LTFRB office on Nov. 27 to explain why his driver’s license should not be revoked.

The accident, which occurred along EDSA MRT-3 in Barangay Philam, claimed the life of an enforcer of the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic.

The bus operator was also required to attend the hearing to explain why the LTFRB should not sanction the company for its “failure to exercise due diligence in the selection and supervision of drivers.”

This was not the first time Joanna Jesh has been summoned by the transport regulator over fatal road crashes.

Last July, a Joanna Jesh bus plowed through barriers along the EDSA busway.

The Department of Transportation has condemned the driver involved in the accident for violating traffic rules.