Are Persons with Disabilities Exempt from Bus Fare?
I frequently use public transportation, specifically buses, for my daily commute. I observed that there was a woman with disabilities who was charged the regular fare, while another person with disabilities was not charged at all. I would like to inquire if persons with disabilities are entitled to free bus fares when using public transportation. I kindly request a response from the editorial board to clarify this matter.
Are Disabled Persons Exempt from Bus Fares?
Pursuant to Article 12 of Decree 28/2012/ND-CP, regulations on fare exemptions and reductions for public transportation services are as follows:
1. Persons with severe disabilities and persons with extremely severe disabilities are exempt from fares and service charges when using bus transportation.
Persons with severe disabilities and persons with extremely severe disabilities are eligible for reduced fares and service charges when using the following domestic transportation routes:
a) A minimum discount of 15% for air travel;
b) A minimum discount of 25% for train, tram, ferry, and fixed-route passenger buses.
Public transport operators are to issue reduced-fare tickets for disabled persons. To qualify for fare and service charge exemptions or reductions, disabled persons must present a Disability Certificate.
Thus, bus fare exemptions apply only to persons with severe disabilities and persons with extremely severe disabilities. To be exempt from bus fares, disabled persons must present a Disability Certificate.
Locations Where Disabled Persons are Eligible for Free or Discounted Services
According to Article 11 of Decree 28/2012/ND-CP, regulations on fare and service charge exemptions and reductions for cultural, sports, recreational, and tourism services are as follows:
Persons with extremely severe disabilities are exempt from fares and service charges when directly utilizing cultural, sports, recreational, and tourism services at the following facilities:
a) Museums, cultural-historical sites, libraries, and exhibitions;
b) Theaters and cinemas;
c) Sports facilities hosting domestic sports activities;
d) Other cultural, sports, recreational, and tourism facilities.
Persons with severe disabilities are entitled to a minimum discount of 50% on fares and service charges when directly utilizing cultural, sports, recreational, and tourism services at the facilities specified in Clause 1 of this Article.
Cultural, sports, recreational, and tourism facilities are required to issue reduced-fare tickets for disabled persons. To qualify for fare and service charge exemptions or reductions, disabled persons must present a Disability Certificate.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall lead and cooperate with relevant Ministries and agencies to guide the implementation of this Article.
Based on specific conditions, Ministers, Heads of sectors, Central agencies, and Chairpersons of Provincial People's Committees will decide the level of fare and service charge reductions under their management authority, but not lower than the level stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article.
Respectfully!
