THIRTY four bus units of Davao Metro Shuttle were suspended on Tuesday, February 5, by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-Davao for 30 days following one of the company's buses being involved in an accident on Monday.
On Monday, a Metro Shuttle bus had a fatal collision with a Bachelor Express bus at Km. 92, Barangay Magsaysay, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province that left seven dead and 30 others injured. Among the dead passengers were two pregnant women.
"Nasa preliminary investigation namin, it was found out na yung front right tire ng Metro Shuttle nag explode kaya nag encroach sa lane ng bachelor bus," Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 11 regional director lawyer Cattleya Acaylar said in a phone interview with Sunstar Davao yesterday, February 5.
Acaylar added that Metro Shuttle's bus was authorized to only operate between Davao City and Tagum City. But the accident occurred in Nabunturan, which is not part of the authorized route. She said the bus can be considered as “colorum.”
During the suspension of the buses, LTFRB-Davao has directed Metro Shuttle to bring the units to the agency where it will be inspected for road worthiness. The bus company was also given three days to issue a written response to LTFRB-Davao.
Acaylar said whether Metro Shuttle will be allowed to operate the buses again or not, it will depend on the result of their investigation and inspection.
Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao will be conducting a deeper investigation on the incident.
"I have ordered CVPPO (Compostela Valley Police Provincial Office) Provincial Director Police Senior Superintendent Arnold Palomo to conduct an in-depth investigation of the incident and provide a detailed report of the cause of the accident,” PRO-Davao regional director Police Chief Superintendent Marcelo Morales.
He added, “We cannot predict accident but we can also avoid it. If it's human error or if there are lapses from the management due to poor maintenance of the vehicle, we will let the management answer and be accountable for that.”
The vehicles involved were a Metro Shuttle Bus with plate no. LXA 731 and Bachelor Express Bus with MV file no. 1301-104299.
Based on the initial investigation, around 1:30 p.m. on February 4, the Metro Shuttle Bus driven by Hamber Khen Despi was travelling from Tagum City to Veruela, Agusan del Sur while Bachelor Bus driven by Cruz Daig was travelling from New Bataan, Compostela Valley to Tagum City.
When they arrived on place of incident, the right front wheel of the Metro Shuttle bus exploded and encroached the lane of the approaching bus and collided. As a result, two were dead on arrival and the rest were sent to the nearest hospitals.
As of 6 a.m., Tuesday, seven were confirmed dead: Jerome Uyanguren, 40, Veruela, Agusan del Sur; Francasio Cabellida, 65, Times Beach, Davao City; Elsa Salarda Acedilla, 58, Montevista, Compostela Valley; Hamber Khen Despi (metro shuttle driver), 36, Guadalupe, San Isidro; Janet Vicente (pregnant), 35, Dujali, Davao del Norte; Teddy Nher Garcia, 35, Trento, Agusan del Sur; and Mary Grace Balbuena (pregnant), 26, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley.
Morales, meanwhile, advised all bus operators to ensure that all their vehicles are of proper condition before going on a trip because lives of the passengers are at stake.