Authorities stop buses flunking safety inspections from leaving

Several passengers heading for the provinces for Holy Week were inconvenienced Friday evening after the buses they had just boarded flunked safety inspections by transportation officials. Inspection teams from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) found safety violators at the Araneta Bus Terminal in Quezon City, radio dzBB reported Saturday. The report said many of the passengers were irritated as they were made to get off the buses to wait for replacement buses to take them to their destinations. According to the inspection teams, the safety violations they found were defective wipers, headlights, taillights, and tires. Some of the buses were also found to be plying routes outside their franchises, for which they may be fined from P4,000 to P6,000 and a possible suspension. While the drivers argued they already had special permits from the LTFRB, the agency said the special permits are good only for April 17 to 25. The LTFRB said 222 special permits have been approved since Wednesday. — LBG, GMA News