2 bus firms in Fairview smashup suspended

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) suspended yesterday the operations of two bus firms whose units were involved in a collision in Fairview, Quezon City Tuesday.

LTFRB chairman Jaime Jacob also directed Safeway Bus Lines Inc. and Universal Guiding Star Bus Line Corp. to explain in writing within 72 hours why their certificates of public convenience should not be suspended, cancelled, or revoked.

Three persons were hurt in the incident, which happened allegedly after one of the drivers fell asleep while cruising along Regalado Avenue at around 5:35 a.m.

Jacob said that after the 30-day suspension, during which the LTFRB will investigate the mishap, the two firms must have all their buses tested for roadworthiness and their drivers subjected to compulsory drug testing. During the suspension, the two firms should surrender the license plates of all their buses to the LTFRB, Jacob said.

Bus driver in Lawton collision charged

The Manila Police District (MPD) filed charges before the Manila prosecutor’s office yesterday against Richard Enero, who drove the bus that figured in a six-vehicle collision in Lawton, killing a pedestrian and injuring at least 15 others Wednesday morning.

Enero was arrested at the garage of Earth Star Express garage in Quezon City at around 4 p.m. Wednesday, eight hours after he fled the scene of the smashup.

SPO3 Sergio Macaraeg said they will also file charges against the owners of Earth Star Express.

Enero hid out in the garage of Earth Star as he was afraid he would be harmed by an angry mob after the accident.

Enero allegedly lost control of the bus as he was driving through Padre Burgos Avenue to Taft Avenue and ran over Rolando Roldan, an FX taxi driver. Investigators said the bus hit Roldan and a passenger jeepney as he was crossing the avenue from the Metropolitan Theater to his parked vehicle, causing a six-vehicle collision. – Michael Punongbayan, Sandy Araneta