Bus liner twits LTFRB: Suspension ‘selective’

MANILA, Philippines – At least one Twitter user isn’t happy over the decision of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to uphold its earlier order to suspend Victory Liner after one of its buses fell into a shallow ravine in Olongapo City, Zambales, killing a female bystander.

On its official Twitter account (@VictoryLinerInc), the bus company asked the LTFRB (@LTFRB_Chairman) not to be “selective” in issuing preventive suspensions.

“Sana po hindi selective ang pag-issue ng preventive suspension. Dapat wala po untouchable na bus company malapit sa pulitiko,” the whole tweet read.

(The issuance of reventive suspensions should not be selective. Ties with politicians should not make some bus companies untouchable.)

Forty-two units of Victory Liner that ply the Zambales-Manila route were suspended for 30 days the day after one of its buses fell into a ravine on April 21. Victory Liner filed a motion for reconsideration but it was denied by the LTFRB on Thursday, April 22.

“Simultaneous with the serving of the Order denying Victory’s MR, LTFRB personnel will be confiscating the for hire plates of the 42 units,” the LTFRB said in a tweet.

Victory Liner on Twitter also lamented how accidents involving other companies’ bus units did not merit suspensions.

@LTFRB_Chairman April 15,2014 Genesis bus collides w/ truck in Nlex. Passengers hurt, long traffic during Holy Week, no suspension.

— Victory Liner Inc. (@VictoryLinerInc) April 24, 2014

@LTFRB_Chairman Fermina’s bus tumagilid sa Concepcion Tarlac, around 5 passengers died. Before Holy Week po ito. No suspension.

— Victory Liner Inc. (@VictoryLinerInc) April 24, 2014

In March, the LTFRB permanently revoked the permit of Elena Liner and MGP Trans which figures in an accident that killed 7 people and injured more than 30 passengers along EDSA in late 2013.

Earlier this month, it suspended the franchise of Corimba Express Incorporated just days after one of its buses figured in a road accident that hurt several people in Quezon City. – Bea Cupin/Rappler.com