Bus passengers travelling to and from Yolanda-hit areas to receive P200-fare discount

By: Julliane Love De Jesus, Nestor Corrales - 10 years ago

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Passengers going to and coming from Yolanda-hit areas this Holy week will have a fare discount.

This, after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) approved Tuesday a P200 or roughly 20 percent bus fare discount for all passengers travelling to and from Yolanda-hit areas this coming Holy Week.

Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Winston Ginez and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino said they would direct provincial bus operators to grant the P200 discount to commuters going to Leyte and Eastern Samar starting April 16 until April 21.

“I am grateful to the LTFRB and the provincial bus operators for granting my request. The P200 discount is definitely a big help to all passengers going to and from Leyte and Eastern Samar, particularly during this time of their recovery,” Tolentino said in a statement.

Tolentino added that Lenten season is the best time for “Yolanda” victims to be with their families, listen closely to their inner feelings and to reflect on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ after the tragedy that befell them.

For his part, LTFRB chair Winston Ginez lauded the MMDA and its chief for initiating the bus fare reduction for typhoon-struck commuters.

On Monday, Tolentino asked provincial bus operators to generously give a P200 cut of the fare, or about 20-percent of the regular price.

The bus operators have agreed to the request.

The Visayas region was greatly devastated by Super Typhoon “Yolanda” in November 2013 that claimed more than 6,000 lives.