The inspections are expected to be stricter following last Monday’s fatal accident involving a bus at the Skyway, radio dzBB’s Glen Juego reported.
On Friday, Land Transportation Office and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board enforcers made the rounds of bus terminals and checked units heading for the provinces.
A photo posted on Twitter by dzBB’s Juego showed the inspectors checking the buses, including their baggage compartments.
LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez said LTFRB personnel have instructions to pay attention to the condition of the buses’ tires and lights.
The yearly exodus, where Filipinos are to flock to the provinces to spend Christmas and New Year with their families, is expected to peak starting this weekend.
On the other hand, transportation officials have tightened their watch on buses following Monday’s fatal accident involving a Don Mariano Transport Corp. bus.
In Monday’s accident, a Don Mariano bus flew off the elevated portion of Skyway and crashed into the service road below, killing at least 18 people.
A separate report by dzBB’s Juego said the Araneta bus terminal in Quezon City was crowded as of 7 a.m. Friday, with people heading for the provinces.
Many cabbies waited outside the bus terminal for passengers who may come from the provinces to spend the holidays in Metro Manila.
Several of the passengers were heading for Tarlac, Nueva Ecija and Pangasinan, the report added. — LBG, GMA News
