Post Grad Students Not Covered By Fare Discount — LTFRB

Post-graduate students are not covered by the 20-percent student fare discount, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) reminded Thursday as it urged commuters to follow public transport fare rules.

LTFRB board member Atty. Ariel Inton made the statement after a squabble between a student and conductor over student fare discount came out in the news earlier this week.

The bus conduct identified as Edel Barcoso argued that he could not give the 28-year-old student (the LTFRB refused to disclose her name) a fare discount since she was not in uniform and did not have her identification card with her.

Though the current Memorandum Circular (MC)on student fare discount does not require the presentation of identification, Inton said that a student passenger should still have proof of enrolment such as a registration form. With this, out-of-school youths are not entitled to the discount.

LTFRB said that its guidelines for student fare discount does not cover post-graduate students namely those taking up medicine, law, Master’s or Doctorate degrees.

Inton, however, admitted that there is a need for the Board to review its MC on student fare discount.

“Student fare discount is not a law. It is only a Memorandum Circular under the LTFRB not mandated by the law like discounts for senior citizens and PWDs (persons with disabilities),” Inton said.

To recall, Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara earlier filed a bill seeking to institutionalize the 20 percent student fare discount in PUVs during Saturdays, Sundays, Christmas vacations and other holidays.

The Board is currently reviewing and revising its MC and expects the revised copy to be finalized by next month. (PNA) BNB/ANP