LTFRB revokes out-of-line bus firm’s franchise

This unit of the GV Florida Transport Inc fell off a ravine on the morning of Feb. 7, 2014, landing at a small farm in Barangay (village)Talubin, Bontoc town in Mt. Province. The bus came from Manila. The accident killed 14 people, including 2 foreigners and comedian Arvin “Tado” Jimenez whose remains were driven back to Manila on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. RICHARD BALONGLONG/Inquirer Northern Luzon

THE LAND Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has ordered a bus company to pay a P1-million fine and surrender its license plates after the agency canceled its franchise for operating out-of-line.

The LTFRB order signed by Chair Winston Ginez and board members Ariel Inton and Ronaldo Corpus was issued on Oct. 19 based on the complaint filed by GV Florida Transport Inc. against Everlasting Transport Co., Guardian Angel Bus Line Inc. and Universal Guiding Star Bus Line Inc. Only Everlasting was penalized as GV Florida had no evidence against the two others.

According to GV Florida, the operation of its Cagayan Valley-Manila route was affected by the out-of-line operations of the respondent-bus firms.

To prove its complaint, GV Florida presented fare tickets issued by Everlasting for the Manila-Cagayan route on April 7, and Sta. Ana, Cagayan-Manila on April 9. The tickets also carried a different company name, Heaven Blessed Bus Line Express Inc.

The respondents said they had secured special permits from the LTFRB to operate outside their routes. The LTFRB, however, noted that the special permits were valid only from Mar. 29 to Apr. 6. Erika Sauler