LTFRB suspends entire Valisno fleet after deadly crash

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday afternoon issued a 30-day preventive suspension order on the entire fleet of the Valisno Express bus company, hours after one of its units figured in an accident that left at least four people killed and 16 others injured in Quezon City.

 

In a series of tweets,  the office of LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez said the 30-day preventive suspension will be effective upon receipt by the company.

 

1. 30-day preventive suspension of the entire fleet of Valisno with 62 buses effective upon receipt of the Order today; .

— LTFRB_CHAIRMAN (@LTFRB_Chairman) August 12, 2015

 

Ginez said LTFRB inspectors will confiscate all yellow plates of the 62 buses of the Valisno Express. He added that the entire fleet will undergo roadworthiness inspections by the Land Transportation Office.

 

The LTFRB chairman also said all of the bus company's drivers will be required to undergo a road safety seminar, drug test and secure clearances from the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation.

 

A Valisno Express bus with plate number TXV 715 was speeding along Quirino Highway when it rammed a concrete post at around 7 a.m. Two persons were instantly killed and two more died while being treated in the hospital.

 

Bus conductor Ferdinand Dacusan was among the 16 people injured. Meanwhile, the driver identified as George Pacis reportedly escaped after the crash.

 

Senior Inspector Marlon Meman of the Quezon City Police District Office's Traffic Sector 2 said manhunt operations are ongoing for the arrest of the driver. —ALG, GMA News