The DOTr secretary canceled the proposed PUV fare discounts.

According to Jaime Bautista, the secretary of transportation, the proposed fare reductions for users of public utility vehicles (PUV) have been abandoned. Instead, the budget will be used to provide financial assistance to PUV operators and drivers on strained routes.

“Kung ibibigay natin ‘yung discount, napakaikling panahon lang, ubos na agad ‘yun. Kaya nga siguro mas mabuti na napagusapan natin na imbes discount ang ibibigay natin, tulungan natin yung mga drivers and operators doon sa may mga naluluging ruta,” Bautista said on Wednesday, April 12.

The subsidy's specifics have not been disclosed by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) or the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

The pre-pandemic P9 fare for traditional jeepneys was to be reinstated under the proposed discounts, down from the current P12 level.

The PUV Service Contracting Program's P1.285 budget from the DOTr would be used to fund the fare discounts, according to a statement made by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in March.

According to the LTFRB, it was still considering a draft memo circular regarding the fare discounts. By May or June, the agency is supposed to present the list of PUV routes that are subsidized.

The EDSA Bus Carousel's free rides were replaced with a fare discount before it closed on December 31, 2022. The anticipated subsidy for unprofitable routes will now be paid for with the same budgetary allocation.