Operator of bombed bus suspended over 2010 strike

MANILA, Philippines –  The franchise of the bus company whose unit was destroyed by a bomb along EDSA in Makati City recently was suspended yesterday for its participation the Nov. 15, 2010 transport strike.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) yesterday imposed a six-month suspension on Human Gold Liner Inc., which has 32 units; and its sister company, Philippian Bus Lines Inc., which has 18 units. The two firms said their employees supposedly attended a religious convention on the day of the strike.

LTFRB board member Manuel Iway also told The STAR they have revoked the certificate of public transport of Jell Transport, which has 147 units, over the bus strike.

These rulings were contained in the third batch of sanctions imposed by the LTFRB, signed by Iway and fellow board member Julius Garcia and issued yesterday. LTFRB chairman Nelson Laluces is on leave.

According to Iway, Jell Transport said its drivers were threatened by groups of men against plying their routes. He said the company failed to have the matter reported to the police.

“They could have easily sought police protection,” the official said, noting that the reason given by the company was “self-serving.”

The franchise of another bus company, Rainbow Express, which has 25 units, was also suspended for six months. Iway said the company cited its right to public assembly.

The Nov. 15, 2010 bus strike, which stranded thousands of commuters, was staged to protest the number-coding scheme on buses.