The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has directed the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to issue a Show Cause Order (SCO) against the driver and operator of Mega Bus Lines following a collision with a Philippine National Railways (PNR) inspection train early this morning.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:55 AM at the Paloyon-Nabua crossing, located between Lourdes Young and Bato in Camarines Sur. The bus was reported to have entered the railway crossing and collided with a passing PNR train operating on an inspection run.
This action by the DOTr aligns with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to prioritize the safety of commuters and ensure the continued smooth operation of train services, particularly in the Bicol Region.
PNR personnel on board the train were unharmed. Injured bus passengers were promptly transported to a nearby hospital and are now in stable condition, thanks to the immediate response of PNR staff at the scene.
In addition to investigating the actions of Mega Bus Lines, the DOTr also called on PNR to address gaps in its operational safety protocols and implement stricter measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The obstruction at the railway crossing has since been cleared, and PNR’s Naga to Legazpi services are expected to resume today.
The DOTr remains committed to safeguarding the welfare of all road and rail commuters through decisive enforcement actions and the continuous improvement of transportation systems across the country.
