Manila: The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced that it has summoned Cemtrans Services, Inc., a bus operator, and its driver for allegedly failing to provide mandatory discounts to passengers.

According to Philippines News Agency, Cemtrans is part of the service contracting program, which mandates a 20 percent discount for regular passengers and a 40 percent discount for students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities. The LTFRB stated that both the bus operator and its conductor neglected to offer these discounts and also failed to provide the correct change to passengers.

The LTFRB emphasized the importance of adhering to these discount provisions, with Chairman Vigor Mendoza II asserting that there is no justification for failing to provide the necessary discounts to passengers. He assured the public that the LTFRB and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) are committed to defending passenger rights and will take action against any violations of the service contracting program.

A hearing for the bus driver and conductor has been scheduled for May 11. The LTFRB warned that failure to attend the hearing or submit an answer would be regarded as a waiver of their right to be heard, resulting in a PHP5,000 penalty.

The issue arose from a social media complaint about a bus conductor's failure to provide a discount on a trip from Alabang to Ayala. The complaint alleged that the conductor did not issue a ticket, failed to offer the discount, and did not give the correct change.

The LTFRB has demanded that the bus operator explain in writing why its franchise should not be suspended or canceled for non-compliance with the service contracting program's rules and regulations.