MMDA welcomes LTFRB's approval on bus fare cut

MANILA, Philippines - The  Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Tuesday welcomed the decision of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board  approving the request to grant P200-fare discount to passengers going to and from Leyte and Eastern Samar this Holy Week.

In a text message to MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino, LTFRB chief Winston Ginez said he is going to issue a directive to provincial bus operators today officially allowing the granting of P200 discount to passengers going to and from areas devastated by super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ starting tomorrow, April 16, until Monday, 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.This also goes to show that the bus operators are also charitable,” he said.
          
"This 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," Tolentino added.

In the same text message, Ginez also also lauded Tolentino for MMDA head's initiative to seek the bus fare reduction.

In a meeting with 50 provincial bus operators on Monda at MMDA, Tolentino  requested for the bus operators to give a P200 fare discount, or roughly 20 percent off the regular fare, for every passenger going to and from areas severely devastated by ‘Yolanda’ such as Leyte and Eastern Samar.  The bus operators have agreed to the request.