LTFRB suspends bus franchise after Naga-Uling road accident

THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Central Visayas (LTFRB-7) has suspended for 30 days the franchise of the Ceres bus that was figured in a road accident in Barangay Uling, Naga City, Cebu.

LTFRB-7 Regional Director Ahmed Cuizon yesterday said he already informed LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III about the suspension of franchise that started since Wednesday, the day after the accident.

The two other bus units under the suspended franchise are also not allowed to travel.

All suspended bus units have the same route — Cebu City to Toledo City.

“Once franchise is suspended, units under its franchise are not allowed to ply unless suspension is lifted,” Cuizon told Cebu Daily News.

Vallacar Transit Inc., operator of Ceres Liner bus fleet, is given 30 days to comply with the requirements, including the drug test result of the driver Jerson Adolfo, proof of assistance to the victims (hospital bills) and incident report.

Cuizon said representatives from the Vallacar Transit have already submitted their incident report last Wednesday.

If other documents are not complied, the LTFRB-7 might cancel the franchise of the three bus units.

To recall, the Ceres bus driven by Jerson Adolfo was on its way to Toledo City when it was hit by the wing van whose brakes reportedly failed on Tuesday evening.

A multicab parked along the street was also hit by the 10-wheeler truck, which carried limestone.

A 33-year-old female passenger died hours later at the South General Hospital in Naga City, where she was brought along with the 23 other injured passengers.

The truck driver identified as Francisco Efren Marababol Jr., was placed under hospital arrest. Police are now preparing charges of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide and multiple physical injuries against Marababol.