Alternative travel in the works for expected Holy Week rush

Following an accident in Barangay Fabrica, located in Hamtic, Antique, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Region VI (LTFRB-6) suspended Ceres bus operations between Iloilo City’s Molo Terminal and Caticlan in Malay, Aklan (via San Jose, Antique) and vice versa.

Vallacar Transit Inc., the parent company for the bus service, will be forced to halt the 10 buses servicing the route for 30 days.

LTFRB-6 Director Richard Z. Osmeña said the agency will be conducting an investigation into the incident, which resulted in three casualties and seven injuries.

“We have to find out, number one, what [caused] the accident,” he explained. “If we find out what caused the accident then, maybe, we can prevent it from happening it again.”

With the upcoming Holy Week observance beginning on Sunday, April 14, the LTFRB-6 official said passengers looking to travel during that time may encounter difficulties.

“I cannot lift [the suspension] until the central office will tell me,” Osmeña said. “Subong apektado ang mga pasahero nga mapuli para sa Holy Week (Right now, passengers looking to return home for Holy Week will be affected).”

Meanwhile, the LTFRB-6 chief said he is considering the issuance of special permits for other bus companies to handle the expected holiday rush.

“We will make sure that not only [are] the bus companies compliant when it comes to road worthiness but also [that] drivers are very well-versed on how to handle situations like this,” he affirmed.

Osmeña also called on the public to avoid colorum services, or transit companies operating without proper license./WDJ