A Cavite student’s rant about being denied the student fare discount on a weekend is making rounds on the Internet. According to his post, the bus conductor refused to give him the 20% student discount since he was traveling on a Sunday. Who is right in this situation? Is it the conductor or the student? It looks like public utility (PUV) drivers and even students themselves need to brush up on their knowledge of the law. What does it say about student discounts?

Student discounts: The lowdown

“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,” read the student’s rant on Facebook.  Was he right?

Here’s the short answer: Enrolled students can avail of fare discounts the whole year round. According to Republic Act No. 11314 or the “Student Fare Discount Act” signed by former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2019 states that this includes weekends and public holidays. And yes, they’re even entitled to discounts during the summer months when most schools are typically on a break.

RA No. 11314 Sec. 5 states that PUVs should give a 20% discount provided that the enrolled student will present their ID card.

Can students complain when they’re refused a discount?

Sec. 9 of the bill says that students who are refused of the fare discount privilege can file complaints against the PUV operators and drivers involved. They can send their complaints to the following:

• Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for land PUVs (except tricycles);
• Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) for sea/water PUVs;
• Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) for air PUVs;
• Legal Service of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for rail public transportation facilities, including the Manila Light Rail Transit System, the Manila Metro Rail Transit System and the Philippine National Railway System; and
• Office of the Local Chief Executive of the local government unit concerned for tricycles.

Once these agencies conduct an investigation and find the PUV operator or driver guilty, they can face penalties ranging from suspension of driver’s license for a month to a fine of up to P15,ooo-P150,000.

What about graduate school students?’

Unfortunately for those taking their graduate studies, the Student Fare Discount Act only applies to students in elementary, high school, college, and technical-vocational courses. This means those enrolled in post-graduate degree courses (i.e. masters, post-graduate diplomas, or doctorates) aren’t eligible for the discount.

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