Solon lauds LTFRB for suspending Grab’s P2-per minute travel charge

“We thank the LTFRB for the suspension of the PHP2 per minute charges that were clearly not approved by the Board and were kept secret from the operators, drivers, and riders,” Nograles said.(Photo: Grab/Facebook)

MANILA — Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta Partylist Rep. Jericho Nograles on Thursday lauded the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for ordering the suspension of the PHP2 per minute travel time charge imposed by transport network service Grab.

Nograles also reiterated his call for the LTFRB to demand Grab a refund for these hidden charges amounting to an estimated PHP3.24 billion since June 2017.

He, however, stressed that the ride-hailing service should spare its drivers from the refund obligation and should charge this refund from its own pocket.

“We thank the LTFRB for the suspension of the PHP2 per minute charges that were clearly not approved by the Board and were kept secret from the operators, drivers, and riders,” Nograles said.

“I hope that refund for these hidden charges will be ordered soon as well, and that the drivers are spared from paying this refund as they played no part in reprogramming the Grab algorithm to include these secret charges,” he added.

He warned Grab that he would be the first to file a complaint of large scale estafa against the company if it tries to demand the refund from its drivers.

In its order signed April 18, LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra III said the suspension remains in effect until the Board concludes its investigation on the issue.

The Board earlier said that Grab has not mentioned any travel time rate when it released its order on the fare structure of TNCs last December 27, 2016.

The December 2016 order stipulates that Grab should impose a flagdown rate of PHP40 with an additional rate of PHP10 to PHP14 per kilometer excluding per minute travel charges.