MANILA, Philippines -- As school opening approaches, the government has reminded operators and drivers of school service vehicles and public utility vehicles to follow the terms and conditions of their government-issued franchise especially those that are related in dealing with student-passengers.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory (LTFRB) has reiterated the obligation of operators and drivers of school service vehicles to ensure the safety of their passengers by putting screens in the windows or open portions of their units, and keeping first aid kits and fire extinguisher as safety precaution.
LTFRB Board Member Manuel Iway also reminded operators and drivers of public utility jeepneys, buses, express vehicles and taxis to grant students 20 percent fare discounts.
Citing the LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2011-004, Iway said PUV operators are obliged to grant pre-school, elementary, secondary, and college students fare discounts during school days, otherwise they can be fined P2,000 for the first offense of non-granting of discounts, P3,000 fine with suspension of franchise for 60-days and confiscation of for-hire plates, and cancellation of franchise for the third offense.
''We are reminding PUV operators and drivers to comply with the granting of fare discounts to students otherwise they will be penalized accordingly,'' he said.
Iway said students may call the LTFRB through regional hotlines to report complaints about erring PUV and school service vehicle operators and drivers.
