Public utility vehicle operators risk penalties if they refuse the mandatory 20 percent fare discount for students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said.
The warning followed a complaint from a PWD passenger who alleged that a bus conductor rejected his discount after he boarded in Pampanga and presented a government-issued PWD ID.
Acting LTFRB Chairman Greg Pua said the case had been referred to the agency’s Legal Division for evaluation and possible enforcement action.
The passenger also alleged that the conductor had been reprimanded by the bus company for granting a PWD discount, a claim that has yet to be established.
Pua said failure to honor statutory fare privileges may also breach the conditions attached to a Certificate of Public Convenience, which allows a PUV operator to serve an authorized route.
PWD discounts are provided under Republic Act No. 10754, while senior citizen fare privileges are covered by Republic Act No. 9994.
Students, meanwhile, are entitled to fare discounts under Republic Act No. 11314.
The LTFRB urged commuters to report similar incidents through Hotline 1342 or the agency’s official online channels so complaints can be investigated.
