LTFRB addresses fare discount mandates
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The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday held a dialogue with 19 Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) platforms to ensure compliance with fare discount mandates for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and students.
This comes after reports of non-compliance with the Expanded Senior Citizens Act and the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, which entitle seniors and PWDs to 20 percent fare discounts. Similar violations have also been reported regarding student discounts.
The Coalition of Filipino Commuters (CFC) stressed the need for the LTFRB to "enforce a uniform application of government-mandated discounts" across all digital ride-hailing platforms. The group cited accessibility and inclusivity as key benefits of such discounts for vulnerable sectors of society.
The LTFRB previously reminded drivers and operators of public utility vehicles (PUVs), as well as TNVS firms, to fully comply with laws extending 20 percent discounts to senior citizens, PWDs and students.
In December, LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III lamented that despite clear guidelines, reports of non-compliance have prompted the agency to take action.
Guadiz stressed that refusing to honor government-mandated discounts "go against the law and are a disservice to commuters."
He also reminded PUV and TNVS operators that violations of the special passenger discount guidelines carry fines and penalties, including suspension or revocation of franchises for repeat offenders.
