Franchise of four Eso-Nice buses cancelled

BAGUIO CITY -- The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has cancelled the franchises of four units of a bus company which figured in the worst road accidents in northern Luzon last year.

Lawyer Brenda Puclay of the LTFRB Cordillera legal department said that the four bus units all belonged to the Eso-Nice bus company.

Puclay said among the four units which franchises were cancelled included the bus with plate number ABB 549.

The said bus bound for San Fernando City, La Union from Baguio City last August 18, 2010 plunged into a 100 meter deep ravine in Barangay Banangan, Sablan, Benguet, leaving 42 of its passengers dead and eight others injured.

"Our office found the four units of the Eso Nice to lack road worthiness. The bus company was also fined for certain memorandum circulars which it violated," Puclay said.

LTFRB, she said, has also reminded other bus companies to comply with all rules and regulations in the transport business to prevent similar tragedy. – PNA