I-ACT flags PUVs neglecting 20% discount for PWDs, senior citizens, students

Several public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers were apprehended by traffic authorities on Wednesday for failing to apply the 20-percent fare discount for persons with disability (PWDs), senior citizens, and students.

In a report on 24 Oras by Tina Panganiban-Perez, a number of jeepneys offloaded their passengers after Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT) officials learned that the driver did not apply the discount to the passengers.

The 20-percent discount brings the P8 minimum fare for jeepneys down to P6.40 for PWDs, senior citizens, and students.

Qualified passengers refused the discount were urged to lodge their complaints with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Failing to apply the discount could cost the driver a P5,000 fine for the first offense and P10,000 for the second offense.

LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra pointed out that drivers often did not know the exact amount to charge passengers with discounts.

"Most of the vehicles that we have inspected, compliant naman sila doon sa reminder na 20 percent ang problema lang, hindi nila alam kung magkano talaga. The fare matrix would be there precisely to address that," he said. — Margaret Claire Layug/BM, GMA News