Joanna Jesh buses allowed back on metro's road

MANILA, Philippines - After nearly three weeks of suspension and retraining, drivers of the Joanna Jesh bus line were finally allowed back in the streets of Metro Manila Monday. In an interview on dzBB radio, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) executive director Emmanuel Mahipus said the suspension order on the bus line was lifted as early as Friday. But he admitted that except for a stern reminder to be careful and to avoid accidents, there is not much of a guarantee the Joanna Jesh buses will figure in another accident. "Nagkaroon ng order lifting the suspension. Lahat na driver nila naka-graduate sa 3-day drivers education training sa UP, at ang kanilang pag-submit sa driver sa neuro test sa LTO (We lifted the suspension order Friday after the drivers graduated from the three-day education training in the University of the Philippines. The bus firm also had the drivers undergo a neuro test at the Land Transportation Office)," Mahipus said. Joanna Jesh's franchise for its two lines plying the metro was suspended last October after one of its units slammed into a Mercedes Benz sedan before dawn of Oct. 21 along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA). The sedan burst into flames, killing a doctor and injuring at least three others. Initial investigation showed the bus was racing with another bus when it hit the sedan. "We always proceed under theory of good faith. Itong drivers pagkatapos ng tatlong araw ng pagsasanay meron na silang tamang mindset (We always proceed under the theory of good faith. We can only hope the drivers have the proper mindset after their retraining)," Mahipus said. Meanwhile, Mahipus said they continue to investigate the Nov. 1 accident involving a Fermina Bus and a Toyota Revo along the North Luzon Expressway in Pampanga. He said they have summoned NLEX enforcers, police investigators and concerned people like the victims to shed light on the incident "so the board can properly determine the extent of liability of bus operator and their franchise and (come up with) measures to assist and show they are exercising due diligence." - GMANews.TV