15 GV Florida buses suspended after viral ‘racing’ video
Metro Manila, Philippines - Authorities suspended 15 buses of GV Florida Transport Inc. after a viral video showed some of the company’ buses racing on a national highway, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said Tuesday, June 10.
In a news briefing, Dizon said the buses plying the routes of Santa Ana, Cagayan-Sampaloc, Manila and Baguio-Apayao have been suspended for at least 30 days.
“Nagpatawag ng hearing ang LTFRB (Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board), June 25, at pinatawag ang Florida bus company para magpaliwanag. Pero habang nagpapaliwanag, suspendido na ang kanilang prangkisa para sa dalawang linya na ‘yon,” Dizon said.
[Translation: The LTFRB has set the hearing on June 25 where the Florida bus company will explain. Pending explanation, its franchise for the two lines is already suspended.]
Once the names of the six drivers involved in the racing will be established, Dizon said their licenses will be suspended for 90 days pending hearing.
GV Florida on Monday apologized for the incident and said it is “addressing the matter internally,” assuring that the “safety and well-being of our passengers is our top priority.”
Dizon did not accept the apology.
“Hindi pupuwedeng sorry, papano kung may namatay dun? Napakadaling merong ma-aksidente do’n sa pinaggagawa nila. Ginawang sports car ang mga bus nila,” the transportation secretary said.
[Translation: Apology not accepted. What if someone died? What they did could have easily hurt people. They turned the buses into sports cars.]
Following the viral incident, GV Florida drivers will be required to undergo drug testing.
The suspension of GV Florida buses followed the suspension of Pangasinan Solid North Transit, the bus operator behind the fatal tragedy on Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway in May.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has assisted the families of road crash victims in filing complaints against the company, its president, and the bus driver.
READ: Solid North bus firm faces P130-M suit over SCTEX crash
Dizon said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the DOTr are serious about road safety.
