Following the order of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon to ground all buses of Pangasinan Solid North Transit, Inc. (PSNTI), the bus company said they had already heeded the directive and halted all operations.

“For our patrons, unless otherwise provided, all trips of PSNTI are temporarily suspended. Effectively, all affected bookings may request their respective cancellations or other prerogatives,” the company said in a Meta (Facebook) post on Saturday.

The bus company further stated that they are one with the nation in sympathizing with those affected by the fatal crash.

“As a bus operator, we've always strived to continuously provide the best for our passengers. However, some uncontrollable factors get even the best of us, which leads to this isolated case. We understand the severity of the situation, and we will be responsible and accountable for it,” the company added.

The multi-vehicle collision on Labor Day at the Tarlac Exit of the SCTEx involved a Solid North bus, an 18-wheeler truck, a van, and a sport utility vehicle.

Twelve victims died instantly after the van they were riding was crushed upon impact with the Solid North bus.

Of the fatalities, six were children, while more than 20 others were injured.

Earlier, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) had ordered a 30-day suspension of 15 Dagupan Bus Co. units.

Dagupan Bus Co. was acquired by JAC Liner Inc., forming Solid North Transit Inc. as its subsidiary.

Bus employees hit for halting ops

Meanwhile, a source from the Provincial Bus Operators Association (PBOA) expressed concern that suspending 270 units of the said company only encourages ‘colorum’ bus companies to operate in North Luzon.

"This would just create a new problem," a PBOA member told the DAILY TRIBUNE on Saturday.

The PBOA official, who requested anonymity, disclosed that the LTFRB Board was forced to issue another resolution suspending the entire fleet of the Solid North Bus, including those with other routes to and from the northern provinces.

Further, the PBOA source said authorities should also consider the welfare of affected employees in suspending 270 buses, aside from the thousands of passengers who will experience hassle when traveling to their provinces to cast their votes on 12 May.

The suspension order has already been served to JAC Liner, the parent company of Solid North Bus.

Moreover, in a separate interview, a bus operator said the DoTr cannot impose the P400,000 insurance compensation for each fatality, as eight of the fatalities were passengers of a van not registered under the Passenger Accident Management and Insurance Agency (PAMI).

“However, the fatalities could be covered by the so-called TPL (Third Party Liability) as they are not passengers of the bus. All of these fatalities may receive P200,000 in total. So, for the 10 deaths, for example, they will receive a measly P20,000 each only, even short of buying a coffin,” the source said.

The LTFRB on Friday said families of those who lost a loved one in the fatal crash are entitled to a P400,000 indemnity payment.

On the other hand, Secretary Dizon said criminal charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicides, multiple physical injuries, and multiple damage to property will be filed against the involved Solid North driver, as well as separate criminal charges against the bus company.