Is this the proverbial “last trip” for the bus company?
“The Court of Appeals (CA) Eighth Division has upheld with finality a Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) order canceling the franchise of Don Mariano Transit Corp. (DMTC) over a spate of deadly road accidents involving its buses,” reports Edu Punay in The Philippine Star.
The report noted: “The CA dismissed the motion for reconsideration filed by the bus firm, citing its failure to raise new arguments that would warrant the reversal of the earlier ruling. The court reiterated that the LTFRB has the power to revoke certificates of public convenience (CPCs) of public utility vehicles.”
According to the report, DMTC had insisted that the LTFRB “committed grave abuse of discretion in canceling its CPCs because of its findings that the bus company allowed the illegal use or change of chassis without informing the LTFRB.”
The CA was not convinced by DMTC’s arguments.
To recall, the LTFRB suspended franchise based on these incidents involving DMTC buses:
1. On Dec 13, 2013, a DMTC bus figured in a road accident along the Skyway in Alabang where 21 passengers died and 24 others were injured.
2. In May 2012, a call center agent was stabbed in a DMTC bus, wherein the bus driver and conductor not helping the victim.
3. In Jul 2012, a DMTC bus figured in an accident along the EDSA-Ortigas flyover resulting in multiple physical injuries and damage to property.
4. In Aug 2012, a DMTC bus was involved in a road mishap resulting in the death of a motorcycle driver.
Photo: News clip screengrab
