Bus in Bontoc crash had no permit to operate, used fake license plates

The Florida Transport bus that lost its brakes and fell down a deep ravine in Bontoc, Mt. Province early Friday  should not have been on the road at all, according to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

 

A report on "Saksi" aired Friday night quoted the LTFRB as saying the license number TXT-872 was issued to a bus from Mountain Province Cable Tours owned by a certain Norberto Cue, Sr.

The license plate for that bus was transferred onto the ill-fated Florida bus, the LTFRB said.

 

The Florida bus crash and revelation of fraud come just two months after a horrific fall from the Skyway in Metro Manila of a Don Mariano Transit bus that had fraudulent identification as well, on its chassis which had belonged to another vehicle. The LTFRB had vowed after the Skyway crash to apply stricter control over passenger buses.

Suspension

The LTFRB has suspended more than 200 buses owned by Florida as well as 10 units owned by Mountain Province Cable tours, the report said.

 

The board has also told the two bus companies to explain why their buses should not be suspended and why their franchises should not be revoked, the report said.

 

GMA News is still seeking comment from Florida Bus and Mountain Province Cable Tours on the suspension as of this post.

Fourteen people were killed and 32 were injured when the bus fell 100 to 120 meters down a ravine on the side of the road early Friday morning.