LTFRB finds switched license plates, other violations in surprise inspection

Missing body markings were among the violations uncovered in surprise inspections by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Land Transportation Office on Saturday.

 

According to a report on "24 Oras" on Saturday, units operated by RRCG Transport System Co., Inc. had incomplete body markings, and others had chassis numbers that did not match the engine numbers in the LTFRB's records. 
 

The inspection also found that license plates had been swapped between units. One bus even had a sticker for the Batangas route even though it was only authorized to operate within Metro Manila.

 

RRCG president Roberto Torres admitted that the bus sometimes travels to Batangas.

 

"Minsan, pero hindi yung biyaheng cargo, yung mga special trip lang. Kasi nga, medyo matagal na yan, matagal na yung perang nai-ipit namin. Makabawi ng konti," said Torres.

He said the company is waiting for the LTFRB to finish processing papers for the bus.

 

Inspectors also found mismatched chassis and engine numbers on two RRCG units in its Taytay depot. The buses will not be allowed on the road while LTFRB and LTO check whether their license plates are authentic.

 

The inspection on Saturday was just the latest in a series of surprise LTFRB visits prompted by a bus accident in Bontoc, Mountain Province that killed 14 and injured 32.

Probers found the bus operated by Florida Transport did not have a permit to operate and was registered to a different bus line. — Rie Takumi/JDS, GMA News