LTFRB warns PUVs refusing to honor special fare discounts

FILE: HOLIDAY RUSH. Vehicles line up bumper-to-bumper along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City on Friday (Dec. 13, 2024). The Davao City Traffic and Transportation Management Office has deployed additional enforcers to manage the surge in vehicles during the holiday season. (PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.)

By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said Monday it has ramped up monitoring and response operations against public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators who refuse to honor special fare discounts for the elderly, persons with disabilities (PWD), and students.

In a statement, LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III cited complaints, especially from passengers of transport network vehicle services (TNVS), of non-compliance with the 20 percent special fare discount.

The complaints specified the lack of a seamless option to apply the special fare discount.

“Similarly, some PUV operators, including jeepneys and bus drivers, have been accused of refusing to honor valid IDs or charging the full fare, leaving passengers frustrated and disadvantaged,” he said.

The special discount, he said, is mandated under Republic Act (RA) 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, and RA 7277, or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.

“Such practices go against the law and are a disservice to the commuting public,” he said.

Operators and drivers found violating these laws, he said, could face sanctions including fines, suspension of franchise operations, or even franchise revocation for repeat offenders.

He called on passengers to report similar incidents to LTFRB’s hotline 1342 and provide detailed information, such as the vehicle’s plate number, the time and date of the incident, and supporting evidence, such as receipts or screenshots.

“Non-compliance with discount policies not only undermines the rights of passengers but also tarnishes the reputation of the public transport sector,” he said.

He also called on TNVS companies to upgrade their platforms to ensure that eligible passengers can get their discount with ease and for PUV operators to educate their drivers about the legal requirements of the special fare discount.