After being involved in what she called her “most traumatic bus experience”, a student took to social media to air her disappointment about a conductor who allegedly denied her of student discount and “humiliated” her in front of other passengers.
On Facebook, the student shared how she tried to avail of her student discount earlier today, April 21, explaining that she needed to attend to some school activities during the weekend.
“May pasok ka ba, miss?” the conductor asked, to which she replied, “Wala po, pero may activities po kami na mga gagawin.”
He, however, maintained that students are not supposed to get discounts on a Sunday, “Hindi ginagamit ang student discount kapag Linggo. Kapag may pasok, sige magbibigay kami ng discount. E, wala naman pala kayong pasok.”
The student noted that by this time, the conductor was already yelling at her, drawing attention from other passengers.
And when she was about to step down the bus, she said he continued scolding her, “Sa susunod, huwag gagamit ng student discount kapag walang pasok, neng, ha.”
To which she responded that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) had been very clear about this student privilege.
“May sinabi po ‘yong LTFRB na valid ang student discount kahit holidays or weekdays,” she told him.
The student also shared that she never experienced getting denied of this discount whenever she tried to avail this of during weekends.
“Akala siguro ng konduktor na ito gusto kong umalis kahit linggo para lang gawin yung mga school works na binibigay sa amin. Naiintindihan ko naman na lahat tayo nahihirapan pero hindi para mamahiya ka ng tao. Matatanggap ko kung sinabi sa akin in a nice way at tone, pero hindi, e,” she went on.
As of writing, the post already received thousands of reactions and shares.
LTFRB spox: We’re on it
In a statement sent by LTFRB Spokesperson Celine Pialago to Traffic Digest on Sunday night, she assured that the agency is currently taking care of this concern.
“The LTFRB is now investigating this issue. We assure the public that the bus company responsible for refusing a student discount will face appropriate fines,” Pialago said.
She also reminded bus companies, particularly conductors, that students are indeed entitled to a 20 percent discount even on weekends and holidays.
“We wish to emphasize to all bus companies, particularly their conductors, that they are required to provide 20 percent student discount from Monday to Sunday, including summer breaks and holidays,” she noted.
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