LTFRB suspends Dimple Star Bus firm's franchise for 30 days

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday issued a 30-day preventive suspension order against Dimple Star Bus company following a deadly vehicular accident in Occidental Mindoro.

A total of 19 people were killed while 21 were injured after a Dimple Star bus with plate number TYU 708 fell off a cliff in Barangay Batong Buhay, Sablayan town on Tuesday night.

The LTFRB said Dimple Star's bus units will be subjected to inspection and road worthiness tests while under suspension.

Its driver, conductors and other personnel are also ordered to undergo road safety seminars and drug testing.

The LTFRB said Dimple Star is also ordered to surrender the license plates of all of its units covered by the suspension order.

It has also ordered Dimple Star to show cause why the board should not cancel the bus line's franchise due to the accident.

The LTFRB has set a hearing on the accident on April 18.

The LTFRB had caught another Dimple Star bus unit with a worn out tire during an inspection at its terminal in Cubao, Quezon City earlier in the day. The bus was about to leave the terminal when the inspectors arrived.

In an interview on Balitanghali, Dimple Star bus company legal counsel Cesar Cainglet clarified that the unit was only to be "transported" to Marikina.

"Ina-assure namin si [Board Member Aileen] Lizada na hindi namin gagalawin 'yan kasi may dikit na issue 'yun na haharapin namin 'yun and kung ano mang kautusan ng LTFRB about it," said Cainglet. —Margaret Claire Layug/ALG, GMA News