LTFRB on social media ‘rumor’: No disguised Florida buses

MANILA, Philippines – Photos circulating on social media – like this one taken by Rappler – have put the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on the spot.

Aren’t GV Florida Transport’s operations suspended after one of its buses figured in an accident in Bontoc province that killed 14 people? Why are there TransportPro buses getting in and out of Florida’s terminals?

The speculation on social media is that these TransportPro buses are actually repainted Florida buses, so the latter can go around their LTFRB-imposed 6-month suspension that started in March.

“Wala pong katotohanan ang kumakalat na balita at posts sa mga social media sites na pumapasada na muli ang GV Florida dahil sa may mga units na gumagamit ng kanilang mga terminal,” LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez said on Friday, April 25.

(There is no truth to reports and social media posts that GV Florida has resumed operations because there are units using their terminal.)

Ginez said the LTFRB granted the application of TransportPro Services Incorporated to be allowed to temporarily use the facilities of GV Florida in Sampaloc, Manila, and in EDSA Kamias, Quezon City for the loading and unloading of passengers.

He said TransportPro has a valid Certificate of Convenience (CPC) covering 33 units.

GV Florida remains suspended until September. The for-hire plates of its 188 suspended units are still with the LTFRB, the chairman said.

Nevertheless, Ginez said, the LTFRB would send an inspection team to GV Florida’s Sampaloc and Kamias terminals to make sure that only authorized units of TransportPro – as indicated in their CPCs – are being dispatched. They will also check if these buses are properly registered and documented with Land Transportation Office and are covered by valid insurance policies.

“Everything we’re doing is above board. We strictly follow legal application procedures as mandated by Public Service Law act in granting permits to bus companies that meet and comply with our rules and regulations,” Ginez said.

“Hindi ho natin papayagan na makapagpasada ang mga bus na walang tamang permiso or ‘yung under suspension dahil nakakasalalay sa mga kamay nila ang kaligtasan ng mga pasahero,” he said.

(We won’t allow buses without proper permits or under suspension to hit the roads again since the safety of passengers are in their hands.) – Rappler.com