All public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers, including transport network vehicle service (TNVS) providers, must grant the 20 percent student fare discount, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said June 3.
LTFRB chairperson, Atty. Teofilo Guadiz III, stressed that the 20 percent student discount is not optional and must be granted on all regular school days, including during summer classes.
This applies to all land transport modes, including jeepneys, buses, UV Express, taxis, and TNVS units, regardless of whether fare is paid in cash or through digital platforms, Guadiz said, adding the policy is backed by law.
“We are reminding all drivers and operators that the 20 percent student fare discount is not optional. It is a right enshrined in law, and violations will be met with strict penalties,” he said, citing Republic Act 11314, or the Student Fare Discount Act signed into law in 2019.
The law states that first-time violators may be fined up to P5,000, while repeated violations could lead to the suspension or revocation of franchises or permits, depending on the frequency and gravity of the offense, the LTFRB said.
The student fare discount applies exclusively to those currently enrolled in basic education, or from elementary to senior high school, technical-vocational institutions, and college or undergraduate university programs.
It does not extend to post-graduate students, or individuals enrolled in short-term non-degree programs.
To avail of the discount, students are required to present a valid school ID, or proof of current enrollment when boarding the vehicle.
“We urge all operators and drivers to comply, and we also call on the public—especially students and parents—to be vigilant. Report violators to LTFRB hotlines or through the LTFRB Citizen’s Complaint Center,” Guadiz said, adding the agency is coordinating with local government units, schools, and transport cooperatives to ensure that the directive reaches all affected sectors. ||
