One perk of being a student is getting a “discount” on public transportation services. Student discounts can be used throughout the year, including weekends and public holidays, however, it seems like some PUV operators and drivers don’t follow the guidelines.
Last week, a Facebook user, who’s eligible for a student discount, shared his bad experience while trying to use his student benefits. On the Facebook Page “Taga Silang Cavite Kami” [We are from Silang, Cavite], he ranted about a bus conductor who yelled at him when he said that he was a student, with the hope of getting a discount on a Sunday.
This is exactly what he said in the post:
“Grabe first time ko maranasan na masigawan sa bus ng conduktor dahil lang student ako at linggo ngayon…sabi ko ‘pala pala student po’ di daw nag didiscount kapag linggo 100 inabot ko nagalit pa kasi wala daw akong barya huhuhuhu mga tao talaga ngayon sa pilipinas pabobo ng pabobo..super kainis ka manong.” [Wow, this is the first time I experienced being shouted at by the bus conductor just because I’m a student, and it’s Sunday today. I said, ‘I’m a student going to Pala Pala,’ but he said there’s no discount on Sundays. I handed 100 pesos, and even got angry because I didn’t have coins. People in the Philippines are really getting dumber. So frustrating.]
Social media users flocked to the comment section, expressing various opinions on the incident.
Some took the side of the student, asserting that it was his right.
On the other hand, others argued that the student is ‘abusing’ his privilege.
Some students also shared in the comment section that they have also experienced the same thing.
According to Republic Act No. 11314, also known as the “Student Fare Discount Act,” any student identified as Filipino and enrolled in duly authorized schools and universities (excluding post-graduate degree courses and informal short-term courses) is allowed to enjoy the student discount in any public transportation utilities such as public utility buses (PUBs), public utility jeepneys (PUJs), taxis, tricycles, passenger trains, and more, permitted by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). Students are entitled to a grant of 20% discount along with the presentation of their school IDs or enrolled forms, including weekends and holidays.
If you’re a student and if you’re refused to use the fare discount under the said law, you may file a complaint with LTFRB for land public transportation utilities, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) for seawater public transportation utilities, The Civil Aeronautics Board (Cab) for air public transportation utilities, The Legal Service of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for rail public transportation facilities, and The Office of the Local Chief Executive of the local government unit for tricycles.
For more details about students’ transportation fare discount privileges, you can check this website.
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