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Student fare discount on weekends, holidays may take toll on drivers, says PISTON chief
Transport group PISTON will not make an issue out of the newly-approved student fare discount on weekends and holidays, but its leader, George San Mateo, noted that it would surely affect the drivers' daily earnings.
At a news forum on Tuesday, San Mateo said drivers will bear the brunt of the fare discount because no system is in place to reimburse them of the decreased fare.
"Medyo mabigat sa bulsa yan," said San Mateo, though he was quick to add that the transport group he leads — the same one behind the recent two-day transport strike — will not make a big issue out of it, as they recognize the help the discount will give to students.
His concern, of course, is the welfare of PUV drivers.
"Bakit siya mabigat sa bulsa? Kasi po yung mga driver po natin ang maga-absorb n'on," he said.
Drivers may not feel the reduction in income until off-school season, the transport leader said.
San Mateo also said their group had previously suggested to the Senate a system of reimbursement, wherein the Department of Education or the Commission on Higher Education could issue stubs to students, which they would give to drivers, who in turn would exchange the stubs for a reimbursement from the government.
This suggestion, he said, would make driver reimbursement a "state obligation."
The way San Mateo sees it, a reduced fare with no way to recompensate drivers of their losses strips the government of "responsibility."
"Pinaaako sa driver, 'yung mahirap na driver sinu-subsidize ang kapwa mahirap na pasahero," he said.
San Mateo heads PISTON, or the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide, the transport group behind the nationwide strike on October 16 and 17.
