LTFRB suspends 184 buses

MANILA, Philippines — Four more bus companies were sanctioned for their participation in the transport strike that stranded thousands of commuters in Metro Manila last November.

In separate resolutions made public Thursday, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) suspended the certificates of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) of Jayross Lucky Seven Tours Bus Company with 92 units, Laguna Star Bus Transportation, Inc. with 34 units, and Angelito Chang with 28 units for six months, and JRMS Golden Sky Transport, Inc. with 30 units for three months.

LTFRB Board Member Manuel Iway said the penalties were meted to the bus operators for failing to convince the board that their particular circumstances justify their decision not to ply their routes and convey passengers last November 15.

Iway said the LTFRB decided to suspend the franchise of Jayross Lucky Seven Tours and JRMS since the operators have not substantiated their defenses of harassment threat made on their drivers.

“In the case of Laguna Star Bus, the bus company merely issued a general denial and was unable to provide proof or sufficient explanation on their failure to deploy their bus units,” Iway said.

Meanwhile, Iway disclosed that Angelito Chang has justified their participation in the strike by invoking their right to peaceably assemble and redress their grievances.

“The Board has stated before that its regulatory function empowers it to compel the holders of CPCN to render services to the riding public. The constitutional right to peaceably assemble is subject to the condition that the rights of others are not affected,” he added.

Iway clarified that the penalize bus firms have 15 days upon receipt of the LTFRB resolution to file a motion for reconsideration and convince the Board to recall its decision, just like what bus operator and singer Claire dela Fuente did with in the case of Philippine Corinthian Bus Liner Corporation.

If the LTFRB remains unconvinced to reverse its decision, the defendant bus firms can appeal the decision to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC).

The four bus firms constitute the fourth batch of operators castigated by the LTFRB for participating in the transport strike that opposed the implementation of number coding scheme for buses last year.
source: Manila Bulletin