PUV operators overcharging plus-size passengers illegal – LTFRB

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PUV drivers and operators found guilty of overcharging passengers based on their size will face fines, suspension of operations, or revocation of their franchises

MANILA, Philippines – Public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators charging passengers fares based on their size is illegal and discriminatory, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said in a statement on Saturday, May 24.

The LTFRB said that it received several complaints alleging that overweight or plus-size passengers were being charged fares exceeding the standard rate, “a practice the agency condemns as both discriminatory and unlawful.”

“Regardless of a passenger’s size, the fare covers one person. This practice of overcharging is not only unlawful — it is discriminatory and fundamentally unjust,” said LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III.

“Any form of fare manipulation based on personal characteristics, including body size, is a clear violation of LTFRB regulations and human rights principles,” the agency added.

The LTFRB warned PUV drivers and operators that those found guilty imposing the discriminatory fares will face appropriate sanctions, such as fines, suspension of operations, or revocation of their franchises, in accordance with existing transport laws and LTFRB guidelines.

The agency said that all public transportation must be “accessible and respectful” to all passengers.

Passengers who experience or witness overcharging or discrimination may report these to the LTFRB hotline 1342, the agency’s social media pages, or by email at complaints@ltfrb.gov.ph. – Rappler.com