House OKs bill providing discounted fares for students

With 169 votes, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading yesterday the bill seeking to provide an expanded 20 percent fare discount to students.

House Bill 8885 or the Student Fare Discount Act authored by Rep. Alfred Vargas of Quezon City seeks to institutionalize the coverage of the fare discount enjoyed by students on public utility vehicles as well as air and sea transportation even on weekends and holidays.

“The measure seeks to ad- dress economic concerns and the alarming rate of school dropouts. This will alleviate the financial burden of parents and guardians amid the continued rise in the cost of education in the country,” Vargas said.

To date, only land public transportation utilities are covered by the student fare discount based on a memorandum circular issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in 2017.

Students should present a duly-issued identification card or validated enrollment form supported by proof of identity to avail themselves of fare discount.

The proposed law covers students enrolled in elementary, secondary, technical and vocational as well as higher education institution.

The measure does not cover school, shuttle or tourist services or charter agreement and with valid franchise or permit from the LTFRB.

Students enrolled in postgraduate degree courses and informal short-term courses such as dance, swimming, music and driving lessons and seminar-type courses are not covered by the fare discount.