Solon dares Grab to take less commission from drivers

In a press conference, Nograles said Grab could reduce to 10 percent its commission, noting that the ride-haling service has an estimated gross income of PHP400 million monthly. (Photo: Grab/Facebook)

Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Partylist Rep. Jericho Nograles on Monday challenged ride-hailing service Grab Philippines to slash its 20 percent commission from its drivers by half.

In a press conference, Nograles said Grab could reduce to 10 percent its commission, noting that the ride-haling service has an estimated gross income of PHP400 million monthly.

“Mas magaling pa kayong kumita kaysa sa lugaw (You earn better than porridge). [Grab Country Head] Bryan Cu and Grab are very consistent when they said na mahal na mahal nila ang kanilang (that they really love their) drivers,” Nograles said.

“I would like them to prove their love by slashing their commission,” he added.

Nograles earlier revealed that Grab has been “illegally charging” its customers PHP2 per minute of travel time, contrary to the company’s claim that they have no hidden per-minute charges. He said Grab should refund its customers some PHP1.8 billion for overcharging in the past five months alone.

The PHP2 per minute additional charge is on top of its flag-down rate of PHP40 and charge of PHP10 to PHP14 per kilometer.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has ordered the suspension of the PHP2-per-minute travel charge imposed by Grab.