THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) yesterday warned operators and drivers of transport network vehicle services (TNVS) and public utility vehicles (PUVs) to comply with the law-mandated fare discounts to avoid facing fines and suspension.
Honoring these discounts is a legal obligation and a moral duty, LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III said in a statement, stressing the importance of complying with the mandated 20- percent fare discount for senior citizens, persons with disability (PWD) and students amid rising transportation costs.
Under Republic Act (RA) 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 and RA 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, a 20 percent fare discount is required for senior citizens and PWDs.
The agency reminded all PUV operators to grant students the discount at all times, including holidays, weekends and during vacation, 24/7, year-round.
He assured the public the LTFRB is ramping up its monitoring activities and will respond promptly to verified complaints.
To empower passengers, the LTFRB has urged the public to report incidents of non-compliance.
Passengers are encouraged to provide detailed information, such as the vehicle’s plate number, time of the incident and any supporting evidence like receipts or screenshots. Reports can be submitted through the LTFRB’s hotline or official social media pages.
The LTFRB has also called on TNVS companies to upgrade their platforms, ensuring that discounts for eligible passengers can be applied with ease.
Meanwhile, the LTFRB is reminding PUV operators to educate their drivers about the legal requirements and the consequences of non-compliance, saying awareness and education are key steps in addressing the issue.
This initiative is part of the agency’s broader effort to create a more inclusive and equitable transportation system.
Guadiz said the LTFRB’s push for strict enforcement sends a strong message that transportation services should prioritize accessibility and inclusivity.
By enforcing fare discounts, the agency aims to reduce the financial burden on senior citizens, PWDs and students, while promoting a culture of fairness and responsibility among transport operators.
“Non-compliance with discount policies not only undermines the rights of passengers but also tarnishes the reputation of the public transport sector,” Guadiz said.
