House OKs bill institutionalizing student fare discount on 2nd reading

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has passed on its second reading a proposed measure which institutionalizes the discount on student fare for all modes of transportation.

House Bill 8885, which was composed of different other bills harmonized by the House Committee on Transportation, was passed by a vote of ayes and nays on Wednesday.

If it hurdles Congress and is eventually signed into law, the “Student Fare Discount Act” will expand the coverage of the transportation modes, giving student discounts.

Currently, student discounts are limited to land public transportation vehicles, as mandated by the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

According to Section 4 (Coverage) of the bill, public vehicles — whether by land, sea, or air, such as, but not limited to buses, jeepneys, tricycles, taxis, vehicles for hire, passenger trains, aircrafts, maritime vessels, will be required to give students with a valid school identification card or enrollment form. /je