The Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will come down hard on abusive public transport drivers overcharging and refusing to take in students primarily during school days.

LTFRB Assistant Regional Director Reynaldo Elnar told DYRD Balita that drivers of public utility vehicles (PUV) should grant the 20% student discount to all pre-school, elementary, secondary, vocational and technical students enrolled in duly recognized by the government.

Excluded from the 20% discount are those of dancing and driving schools, short term courses of seminar type, and post-graduate studies (medicine, law, masteral and doctoral degrees and other similar post graduate studies).

According to LTFRB Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2011-004 the 20% student discount shall be effective only during school days. The PUV operator shall not deprive passengers granted fare privileges and discounted fares with appropriate seats.

Students should present their valid school IDs to the PUV driver especially those enrolled in Saturday and Sunday classes.

Violation of the 20% student discount shall be penalized with a fine of P2,000 for the 1st offense, P3,000 with suspension of Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) for 60 days and confiscation of “for hire” plates and for the 3rd offense, a fine of P5,000 and cancellation of CPC. (Chito M. Visarra with reports from Rey Tutas)