The management of local bus company Davao Metro Shuttle said it will cooperate with the investigation of the bus collision in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley on Monday which resulted in the company’s preventive suspension by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
In a statement, Metro Shuttle said that management is saddened by the incident involving one of their buses with plate number LXA-731 in an accident that killed seven people including their own driver.
“The entire Davao Metro Shuttle family is devastated and extend its deepest, heartfelt sympathy to the family members and friends and to our passengers affected by the tragic event,” said Davao Metro Shuttle statement on Tuesday.
However, the bus company also said that they did not lack in instilling “safety first” mindset to their drivers and conductors.
“They have LTFRB and in-house trainings. GPS (global positioning system) are installed in our buses and our GPS monitoring team immediately calls the attention of drivers who are driving past the speed limit and such drivers are sanctioned,” Metro Shuttle said.
The company also said that they are also ensuring the roadworthiness of their buses before they take the road.
Metro Shuttle said that they have 500 buses travelling daily, carrying 20,000 passengers to several destinations.
The company has yet to turn over their fleet of 34 bus units as ordered by LTFRB on Tuesday in their issued preventive suspension.
LTFRB gave Metro Shuttle up to Tuesday to surrender their bus plates.
The accident also resulted in injuries to 30 others now being treated at the Compostela Valley Provincial Hospital in Montevista.
Investigations revealed that the Metro Shuttle Bus was traversing from Tagum City going to Veruela, Agusan del Sur, while a Bachelor Bus, driven by Cruz Daig was on the opposite lane from New Bataan, Compostela Valley Province going to Tagum City.
Upon reaching the aforesaid place of incident, Metro Shuttle right front wheel exploded and encroached to the lane of the Bachelor Express bus, resulting to its collision.
