With the alarming steady increases in oil prices, threats of inflation and higher post-pandemic commodity rates, everyone endures increasing costs of goods and services, particularly transportation, and students are no exception.
Now that the implementation of full face-to-face classes has officially returned, the commuting public, with students and members of the labor force comprising its majority, is also back on the road in full swing. This brings students to make budget allotments within their allowances for their daily transportation.
Fortunately, students are entitled for discounts through Republic Act (RA) No. 11314 or the “Student Fare Discount Act” which institutionalizes the Grant of Student Fare Discount Privileges on Public Transportation and for other purposes.
Under the law, the government is mandated to:
(a) Establish a mechanism that ensures the mandatory grant of a student fare discount privilege;
(b) Enlist the cooperation and support of public transportation utilities in extending assistance to students as a social responsibility through the observance of this privilege; and
(c) Encourage students, particularly the poor and underprivileged, to pursue quality education to secure their future and make them responsible citizens.
To support the existing law, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), on February 20, 2023, issued Revenue Memorandum Circle No. 25-2023.
The act covers all public transportation utilities such as, but not limited to, public utility buses (PUBs), public utility jeepneys (PUJs), taxis and other similar vehicles-for-hire, tricycles, passenger trains, aircrafts and marine vessels.
However the law no longer covers school services, shuttle services, tourist services, and any similar service covered by contract or charter agreement and with valid franchise or permit from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Moreover, the fare discount granted by the law shall be available during the entire period while the student is enrolled, including weekends and holidays. However, in cases of promotional fares during holidays, as approved by the concerned regulatory agency, a discount is granted by a public transportation utility operator and the student shall have the option to choose between the promotional fare and the regular fare less the discount as provided under this Act.
Photo by John Ryan Baldemor
Discount
The law basically accords students a grant of twenty percent (20%) discount on domestic regular fares upon personal presentation of their duly-issued school identification cards (ID’s) or currently validates enrollment form. Take note that this should be supported by the prescribed government-issued identification document that is subject to an appropriate verification mechanism to be provided in the implementing rules and regulations (IRR).
In the case of air public transportation utilities, the discount shall only apply to the base fare or the price of the ticket before taxes and costs for ancillary services.
Here are rate comparisons of various public utility vehicles and their student-discounted fares.
Photo by John Ryan Baldemor
LRT-1, LRT-2
New rates for LRT 1 and 2 have been implemented since August 2 following the approval of the adjusted fares for both train lines by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Operators Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) and Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) have released the updated fare matrices for the LRT-1 and the LRT-2, respectively. For both trains, the adjusted fares now start from P15 for single-journey ticket users, and P13 for stored-value card users.
Students taking the LRT using single-journey tickets only need to pay an entry price of P12 from P15. For those who will travel LRT’s end-to-end routes, the highest fare of P35 pesos would be available to students for only P28.
Below are the latest fare adjustments released by LRMC.
MRT-3
MRT-3 offers single ride tickets priced from P13-P28 whereas multiple ride tickets are available for P100 valid for three months from the date of purchase. Both single and multiple-journey tickets are subject to students’ 20% discount.
Photo by John Ryan Baldemor
Jeepneys
Currently, fares are at P12 for traditional jeepneys while air conditioned jeepneys are at P14. With their 20% discount, discounted student rates are at P10 in traditional and P12 in air conditioned jeepneys, respectively.
Photo by John Ryan Baldemor
Buses
City buses or ordinary buses currently offer P13 base fare while air conditioned buses are at P15 base. Students can present their ids to avail their 20% discount.
Photo by John Ryan Baldemor
