MANILA — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) warned that it will impose sanctions against drivers and operators of public utility vehicles (PUVs) that will not grant a fare discount of 20 percent to students as classes resume Monday.
“To all PUV drivers particularly UV Express, buses and jeepneys: It’s now the season of school opening. Students must be given 20 percent discount. Otherwise if we receive reports of violations, we will not hesitate to sanction you,” LTFRB board member Aileen Lizada in an advisory via Viber.
The LTFRB imposes a fine of PHP5,000 for first offense, PHP10,000 fine and 30-day impoundment of vehicles for second offense and a fine of PHP15,000 and cancellation of franchise, Lizada said.
The Board urges students or any commuter to take videos or pictures showing the plate number and type of PUVs that do not provide fare discounts and post them through the official social media accounts of LTFRB.
“If you want the case to proceed a formal complaint is needed to be filed which is part of due process and our public assistance will guide them,” Lizada said.
“If they only want to post and let us know the most that we can do is call the attention of the operator. In any courts, we need to hear the other side because if they post a picture and there is no formal complaint, it is not fair to the operator if we call for a hearing and nobody is complaining,” she added.
The LTFRB has released Memorandum Circular No. 2017-004 last October, allowing students to avail of fare discounts, including during weekends and holidays. Post-graduate students still need to pay in full, such as students studying medicine, law, as well as those taking master’s degree or doctorate. (Aerol John Pateña/PNA)
