The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) strongly warned all public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators against imposing “double fares” on passengers, based on physical appearance, size, or weight.
The LTFRB has recently received several complaints alleging that overweight or plus-size passengers are being charged fares exceeding the standard rate, a practice the agency stressed is both discriminatory and unlawful.
“Regardless of a passenger’s size, the fare covers one person. This practice of overcharging is not only unlawful—it is discriminatory and fundamentally unjust,” LTFRB chairperson, Atty. Teofilo Guadiz III, said in a statement.
The LTFRB underscored that public transportation must be accessible and respectful to all. “Any form of fare manipulation based on personal characteristics, including body size, is a clear violation of LTFRB regulations and human rights principles.”
Discrimination has no place in the transport system, Guadiz said. “PUV drivers and operators found guilty of such practices will be held accountable and face appropriate sanctions.”
These include fines, suspension of operations, or revocation of their franchises, in accordance with existing laws and LTFRB guidelines.
Guadiz urged passengers who experience or witness any form of overcharging or discrimination to immediately report incidents through the LTFRB hotline 1342, its official social media pages, or by email at complaints@ltfrb.gov.ph.
This enforcement drive is part of the government’s broader push to build a fair, people-centered public transport system that upholds dignity, equality, and respect for every Filipino, the LTFRB added. ||
