‘Scrap student discounts on weekends’

Transport groups have called for the scrapping of the student discounts during weekends and holidays.

Public utility vehicles currently give a 20 percent discount to students in order to ease the transport expenses of families with children going to school.

During last Wednesday’s Transport Summit held at the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) in Pasay City, transport groups aired the demand after urging the public to boycott oil companies, except Petron.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairwoman Elena Bautista said that the agency will be studying the proposal.

Bautista said only an LTFRB memorandum circular provides for the discount unlike discounts for senior citizens and disabled individuals which is covered by law.

During the summit, the transport groups had asked the LTFRB to issue uniform identification cards to students which they can present to prevent abuse of the discount.

Philippine Confederation of Drivers and Operators-Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (PCDO-ACTO) president Efren de Luna said even passengers who are not students often claim to be students in order to pay a lower fare.

This, De Luna said, results in losses for the drivers and operators.

However, Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operaytors Nationwide (Piston) spokesman George San Mateo said they disagree with the proposed scrapping of the discount.

De Luna said giving discounts to students is their way of helping the public, especially the parents of students. — Sandy Araneta