By Ma. Cristina Arayata
MANILA – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said Thursday that it has summoned bus operator Cemtrans Services, Inc. and a driver for the alleged failure to provide discounts to passengers.
Cemtrans, according to the LTFRB, is involved in the service contracting program, which entitles passengers to a 20 percent discount, and 40 percent off for students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.
In a news release, the LTFRB said Cemtrans and its conductor did not give the mandatory discount to regular passengers and apparently also failed to give the correct change.
“There is no excuse for failure to provide the necessary discount to all passengers,” LTFRB chair Vigor Mendoza II was quoted as saying.
“We will deal with this and assure all our kababayan, especially those who are availing of public utility vehicles under service contracting, that the LTFRB and the DOTr will fight for your rights by going after those who dare ignore the provisions of this program,” he added.
The bus driver and conductor were summoned to a hearing scheduled for May 11.
Failure on the part of the respondent to appear before the hearing officer and file an answer shall be considered a waiver of their right to be heard and shall result in the imposition of a PHP5,000 penalty, the LTFRB said.
The issue, according to the LTFRB, stemmed from a complaint posted on social media regarding the failure of a bus conductor to give a discount for a trip from Alabang to Ayala.
“Based on the complaint, the bus conductor did not issue a ticket, did not provide the discount, and did not even bother to give the correct change,” the LTFRB said.
It added the bus operator was asked to explain in writing why its franchise should not be suspended or canceled for failing to follow the rules and regulations of the service contracting program. (PNA)
