Angara calls for law on student fare discounts

Congress needs to pass a legislation that will make the 20 percent fare discount for students official, Senator Sonny Angara said on Friday, June 8.

In a statement by the senator, Angara noted that ensuring long-term assistance for students means coming up with a “law to institutionalize the regulatory policy, which can always be subject to change.”

He further explained that there is a possibility for the student fare discount to not be enforced effectively as it is only based on a circular issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Angara called on his Senate colleagues to fast-track the approval of his Senate Bill 945, which aims to expand and institutionalize the 20 percent transport fare discounts for students.

The bill, which provides a year-round implementation of the student fare discount, covers various public transportation systems including LRT, MRT, passenger ships, and airplanes.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) earlier issued a public reminder that students are entitled to fare discounts even during weekends and holidays. Failure to provide the fare discount has corresponding penalties for operators and drivers of public utility vehicles.

For the first offense, a franchise violation that carries a P5,000 fine will be implemented. Meanwhile, for the second offense, drivers and operators will face a P10,000 fine and impounding of vehicles for one month. For the third offense, a P15,000 fine plus cancellation of franchise will be enforced.

via Inquirer / Pathricia Ann V. Roxas