LTO finds 88 buses failed safety checks

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Office (LTO) conducted an inspection of bus terminals yesterday and found 88 passenger buses were lacking in safety equipment or had defective or missing parts.

LTO chief Virginia Torres ordered the operators of these buses to correct these deficiencies before the units are allowed to leave the terminals.

“We would like to assure the riding public that their safety is our foremost concern, hence, we are doing everything to ensure the roadworthiness of these passenger buses as well as in making sure that the drivers are professional enough so that they can entrust their lives to them,” Torres said.

According to the LTO, two units from BEA Bus Lines and PP Bus Lines were totally barred from leaving the terminal because of defective tires, wheel nuts and wheel stud rear.

The agency said at least 29 units did not have first aid kits, while 25 units did not have the required fire extinguisher. Ten of the buses had defective wipers. Six units did not have seat belts while three units lacked the required number of wheel nuts.

Two buses had worn-out tires, while at least two had visible cracks in their windshields. Other units had defective brake lights, air leaks, park lights and drag links.                      –