MANILA, Philippines– The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is urging commuters to file complaints against drivers of ridesharing firm Grab that are overcharging fares.
LTFRB board member and spokesperson Aileen Lizada said such move would ensure that Grab’s dynamic pricing scheme would be within the price cap for transportation network companies (TNC).
“We have talked with the management of Grab and they reiterated that they are within the cap. We have warned them that we will restrain them if they were found to have violated. If there are any complaints, we will address them as well,” Lizada said in an interview with reporters Wednesday.
She said Grab officials explained that their price surge is dependent on hours and road conditions where there is high demand for passengers.
The LTFRB, in its order dated December 27, 2016, directed Uber and Grab to limit their maximum price surge to twice the rates for time covered and distance traveled excluding their base fares.
Grab country head Brian Cu earlier said price surge was limited at 1.4 times its regular rate, or about PHP20 to PHP50, after its competitor Uber was suspended for a month by the LTFRB.
Meanwhile, Lizada said the suspension against Uber still stands despite its disclosure in a board hearing that it has provided PHP100 million as financial assistance for the affected transportation network vehicle services (TNVS) drivers.
“That is their obligation to the TNVS who they put at risk. LTFRB cannot be faulted as we are doing everything to put a stop to this. We only want that the welfare of those affected TNVS will be protected,” she said.
Lizada said the agency would review Uber’s petition asking that it pay a PHP10 million fine in lieu of the one month suspension, and come up with a decision the soonest. (PNA)
