LTO suspends license of  jeepney driver who deprived grandma of fare discount

MANILA — The Land Transportation Office has preventively suspended for three months the driver’s license of a jeepney driver accused of being rude and refusing to give discount to a visually impaired senior citizen.

The jeepney driver, Carlos Sumugat, appeared at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on Wednesdayfor the hearing on the complaint filed against him by 75-year-old Rosa Domingo.

The incident happened on Jan. 22 around 12:30 p.m. in Bagong Silang, Caloocan City. Domingo and her granddaughter Gigi Moreno got into the jeepney driven by Sumugat (TWD 743).

Domingo said she was usually charged P10 for the route but Sumugat collected P13. Domingo’s companion was charged P15 instead of the usual P13.

When Domingo asked for her senior citizen discount, Sumugat became angry and told them they could just get off the jeepney.

Sumugat is facing complaints of reckless driving, overcharging of fare, being discourteous and refusing to grant senior citizen discount.

At the LTFRB hearing, Sumugat asked Domingo for forgiveness, saying he lost his temper because there were just too many things on his mind at that time, board member Ariel Inton said.

Inton said that it was not a valid excuse to disrespect his passengers and the LTFRB would recommend the eventual cancellation of Sumugat’s driver’s license.

“Our senior brothers and sisters deserve utmost respect, regardless of their social status. Even more are those senior citizens who are now suffering disability,” Inton said as he called on operators to hire trustworthy drivers.  SFM