Victory Liner buses suspended over deadly NLEX accident

PAMPANGA, Philippines – The Victory Bus Liner company was hit by yet another round of suspensions after one of its units figured in a collision along North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) that killed one and injured more than 20 last Monday.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced on Thursday, September 25, that the suspension of 16 buses of the Victory Liner would “take effect immediately.”

The buses will be suspended “for not more than 30 days while the transport board conducts an investigation into the September 21 accident,” said LTFRB Chair Winston Ginez.

A bus conductor of Victory Liner died, and scores of other passengers were injured when the vehicle smashed into a 14-wheeler Isuzu truck at NLEX.

Ginez said Victory Liner’s management had also been directed to explain why their franchise should not be revoked within 72 hours of receipt of the suspension order. 

The hearing for the current case is set for October 1 at the LTFRB office, while the road worthiness of the 16 buses is being determined and their drivers are also tasked to undergo a road safety seminar and drug test.

Last April, 42 buses of Victory Liner were placed under preventive suspension after one of its buses figured in a deadly accident in Zambales. These buses were plying the Zambales-Manila route.

Over the years, the bus company has figured in a number of deadly accidents but has never been threatened with losing franchise for its buses even after numerous investigations.

Victory Liner us conductor Benedict Dipad died on the spot in the NLEX accident last Monday, while driver Renato Fajardo is critical in a hospital. Noel Pabustan, the driver of the Isuzu truck, said that the Victory Liner bus rear-ended him, resulting in the death of its conductor. – Rappler.com