DOTr Raises PUV Fare Discount to 40% for Seniors, Students, and PWDs
Applies to jeepneys, buses, and the EDSA Carousel on covered routes.
Published on Apr 13, 2026
(SPOT.ph) If you’re a student, senior citizen, or person with disability (PWD) who relies on public transportation, your next commute might cost a lot less—at least on select routes.
Starting April 15, 2026, fare discounts for senior citizens, students, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) will be raised to 40% on traditional and modern jeepneys, UV Express vans, city buses, and the EDSA Carousel. That’s the usual 20% discount, plus an additional 20% on top.
The catch: the expanded discount will apply only to subsidized routes under the government’s Net Service Contracting Program, which currently covers 823 routes nationwide, including 545 routes in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal. Even regular commuters get a 20% discount.
The program is expected to benefit around 1,000 transport operators, 50,000 PUV units, and 15 million commuters nationwide. A full route list and fare matrix is expected from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) soon.
Also read: All Commuters Get 50% Fare Discount on LRT-2 and MRT-3
How does the Net Service Contracting Program work?
Instead of relying on how many passengers they pick up, drivers and operators are paid by the government based on the distance traveled. Rates are fixed per kilometer—about P100/km for buses on the EDSA Busway, P40/km for modern jeepneys and UV Express units, and P30/km for traditional jeepneys. Participating units must run at least five days a week, with daily trips capped at 100 kilometers per unit.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista said the program was a response to rising fuel costs, which have forced some drivers and operators to cut trips or stop operating altogether. The reduced number of vehicles has, in turn, made commuting more difficult, with longer wait times reported in several locations.
The idea is to ensure consistent service on the road while giving operators a more predictable income stream, even when passenger demand isn’t so predictable.
To make sure the subsidies are properly tracked, participating vehicles will be fitted with GPS devices that record distance traveled. This data ensures that only franchised units under the LTFRB are included.
The DOTr is already seeking an additional P5 billion to expand the program.
Also read: How Close Are We to Running Out of Fuel in the Philippines?
Micah believes that writing is always political. Beyond the byline, you’ll find her bruising herself on a pole or doting on her beagle. Reach her at micah@spot.ph.