BACOLOD CITY, July 30 (PNA) — The Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) is conducting a series of seminars for drivers of Vallacar Transit Inc., operator of the fleet of Ceres Liner buses.
The refresher course, which started Wednesday at the Vallacar Transit compound here, will run until September and will be attended by about 700 bus drivers.
This came after the LTFRB-6 ordered the suspension of the franchises of 11 Ceres buses, including the two involved in a fatal accident in E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental last July 22. The accident left four persons dead, including a bus conductor, and 47 others injured.
LFRB-6 Regional Director Romulo Bernardes said that public safety is the paramount concern of everyone thus he reminded the concerned drivers to always think of the welfare of the commuting public and also his own when on the road.
“We call this endeavor public-private partnership for road safety. The seminar dwelled on the safety of passengers and pedestrians alike. The drivers too have their family and loved ones left in their homes and they should uphold the safety of everyone, including themselves,” Bernardes added.
He added that Vallacar Transit has already complied with the requirements set by LTFRB, including the conduct of seminars, which can be a ground to lift the suspension order.
“As soon as all the requirements are complied with, we can lift the suspension order maybe today or the following day,” Bernardes said.
He pointed out that the accidents that happened recently in Negros Occiental were not due to mechanical problems as Vallacar observes mandatory maintenance.
LTO Acting Bacolod Head Renato Novero said he discussed with the Ceres bus drivers various topics, including traffic rules, defensive driving, penalties, fines, among others.
“We have inspected the 11 units. We conduct a seminar upon request of transportation companies. Vallacar has a whole-year round of seminars with the assistance of the LTO,” he said. (PNA)